First EEE death confirmed in Vermont since 2012, health officials say
The Department of Health has confirmed a death this year, caused by infection with the eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. The health department said the 70-year-old Chittenden County resident was hospitalized in late August and died due to his illness in September. This death was the first reported in Vermont since 2012. The test results were confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week.The announcement has brought Vermont’s total count of confirmed EEE cases in humans up to two this year. The first person, whose infection was confirmed in early August, later recovered. The two EEE infections were the first detected in the state since 2012. Similar cases have been documented throughout New England over the course of the season.Most people infected with the EEE virus do not develop symptoms, but those who do may experience a flu-like illness with fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain. About 5% of people who are infected develop severe EEE disease with encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.Vermont’s health commissioner, Dr. Mark Levine is sending condolences to the man’s family. He tells NBC5 that while the risk for catching the virus is lower now, we are not out of the woods just yet.”EEE is a funny kind of virus where there are a couple of years in a row where it is very active and is present, and then will disappear off the radar for a while. Unless you are on the top of Mount Mansfield, most places have not experienced that hard frost yet and it may not actually occur in the next week or two” said Levine.Dr. Levine says the second case of EEE was not surprising to him, with global temperatures rising and Vermont getting hit by floods throughout the summer. He says it is the perfect storm for mosquitoes.There is no human vaccine or treatment for EEE. Anyone with symptoms should reach out to their health care provider.Officials said the risk of infection is much lower now than it was in August, but residents of communities at high risk should continue to take precautions, particularly after dark.
The Department of Health has confirmed a death this year, caused by infection with the eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus.
The health department said the 70-year-old Chittenden County resident was hospitalized in late August and died due to his illness in September.
This death was the first reported in Vermont since 2012.
The test results were confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week.
The announcement has brought Vermont’s total count of confirmed EEE cases in humans up to two this year.
The first person, whose infection was confirmed in early August, later recovered.
The two EEE infections were the first detected in the state since 2012.
Similar cases have been documented throughout New England over the course of the season.
Most people infected with the EEE virus do not develop symptoms, but those who do may experience a flu-like illness with fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain.
About 5% of people who are infected develop severe EEE disease with encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.
Vermont’s health commissioner, Dr. Mark Levine is sending condolences to the man’s family. He tells NBC5 that while the risk for catching the virus is lower now, we are not out of the woods just yet.
“EEE is a funny kind of virus where there are a couple of years in a row where it is very active and is present, and then will disappear off the radar for a while. Unless you are on the top of Mount Mansfield, most places have not experienced that hard frost yet and it may not actually occur in the next week or two” said Levine.
Dr. Levine says the second case of EEE was not surprising to him, with global temperatures rising and Vermont getting hit by floods throughout the summer. He says it is the perfect storm for mosquitoes.
There is no human vaccine or treatment for EEE. Anyone with symptoms should reach out to their health care provider.
Officials said the risk of infection is much lower now than it was in August, but residents of communities at high risk should continue to take precautions, particularly after dark.
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