Connecticut

What the Frost Advisory Could Mean for EEE Threat in Connecticut

We had record warmth on Wednesday and now a frost advisory is in effect for the majority of the state. 

As the cooler weather arrives, there is hope that it will reduce the threat of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE. 

Three people in Connecticut have died after contracting the virus, which mosquitoes can transmit to humans, and one other person has become ill. 

Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and cold air from winter will slow them down and decrease their activity. The first frost of the season will help put them into a deep-sleep or hibernation, but true relief won't come until a true freeze.  

Frosts are when the temperature dips near or below freezing for a short period of time. Freezes, on the other hand, are where the temperatures dip below freezing for several hours. 

Temperatures overnight will fall into the 30s across most of the state. 

The hill towns are expected to drop below the freezing mark while the rest of the state looks to stay above freezing. 

While the cold air should help kill off some mosquitoes, to rid ourselves of all mosquitoes we typically need a few successive nights of well-below freezing temperatures lasting for several hours. 

How Do You Prevent EEE Infection? 

The best ways to prevent infection include:

  • Use bug spray
  • Wear long sleeves and pants/Cover bare skin
  • Avoid spending times outdoors during or after dusk until dawn

Get more tips from the CDC here. 

Is EEE Always Deadly?

About a third of patents who develop EEE die. Death usually occurs two to 10 days after the onset of symptoms, but can occur much later, according to the CDC.

How Common is EEE?

An average of seven human cases of EEE are reported every year. Connecticut only had 1 reported case from 2009 to 2018.

Symptoms of EEE (From the CDC):

The incubation period for Eastern equine encephalitis virus disease ranges from four to 10 days.

Infection can result in one of two types of illness, systemic or encephalitic (involving swelling of the brain, referred to below as EEE). The type of illness will depend on the age of the person and other host factors. It is possible that some people who become infected with EEEV may be asymptomatic (will not develop any symptoms).

Systemic infection has an abrupt onset and is characterized by chills, fever, malaise, arthralgia, and myalgia. The illness lasts 1 to 2 weeks, and recovery is complete when there is no central nervous system involvement. In infants, the encephalitic form is characterized by abrupt onset; in older children and adults, encephalitis is manifested after a few days of systemic illness. Signs and symptoms in encephalitic patients are fever, headache, irritability, restlessness, drowsiness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, convulsions, and coma.

Treatment for EEE

No human vaccine against EEE infection or specific antiviral treatment for clinical EEEV infections is available. Patients with suspected EEE should be evaluated by a healthcare provider, appropriate serologic and other diagnostic tests ordered, and supportive treatment provided.

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