disease information
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Eastern Equine Encephalitis |
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a serious mosquito-borne disease that has reemerged infecting humans in New Hampshire and other neighboring states. In the fall of 2008, a man spending time in Cumberland County and a horse from York County died of the disease. So far in 2009, 14 horses in Maine have died of EEE. These horses mean infected mosquitoes posing a risk to people are present. Although the risk of contracting the disease from one particular mosquito bite is very small, since any one mosquito is unlikely to be infected, the risk is much more widespread geographically than previously thought. This risk for contracting EEE virus is highest at dusk to dawn and when temperatures are above 50 degrees (and especially above 60 degrees), since these are the conditions when mosquitoes are most actively biting. Proper measures should be taken to avoid transmission during the summer and fall months.
To lower the chances of contracting a mosquito-borne disease, measures should be taken to prevent mosquito bites:
· Wear insect repellent. Products containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus can be applied to exposed skin, and permethrin-containing products can be applied to clothing. Make sure to follow the directions when using repellents or other pesticides.
· Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants when possible or when mosquitoes are bad.
· Protect babies with mosquito netting.
· When mosquitoes are especially bad, stay indoors.
· Mosquito proof your house by fixing or installing window screens or screen doors.
· Control mosquito populations around your home by cleaning gutters, removing or emptying objects that contain still water such as old tires, old cans, plastic tarps and similar things.
· Empty water from flowerpots, pet dishes, birdbaths, rain barrels, and buckets at least once a week.
Source: Maine Center for Disease Control
EEE Fact Sheet
EEE Prevention Poster
Vectorborne
Diseases Presentation
Insect
Repellant Fact Sheet
Maine CDC EEE Website (check here to keep up to date on the status of EEE in
Maine)
US CDC
'Fight The Bight' Website
US CDC EEE
Website