What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus?

About Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE):

• It is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection caused by the EEE virus (EEEV).
• It causes encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.
• EEEV can infect a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. 
• Transmission: The spread of EEEV to mammals (including humans and horses) occurs through the bite of infected mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals.
• Human cases of EEE disease are rare but can cause serious illness.
• Symptoms:
  • It is possible that some people who are infected with EEEV will not develop any symptoms. 
  • Symptoms typically appear 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. 
  • Severe cases of EEE infection begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting that may progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and coma.
• About 30% of people ill from EEE die, and many who survive the infection are left with permanent neurologic damage.
• Treatment:
  • There are no vaccines to prevent EEE infection in people and no specific treatments for EEE disease.
  • Treatment focuses on supportive therapy, including hospitalization, respiratory support, intravenous fluids, and prevention of other infections.

Q1: What is a Virus?

A virus is an infectious microbe consisting of a segment of nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. A virus cannot replicate alone; instead, it must infect cells and use components of the host cell to make copies of itself. Often, a virus ends up killing the host cell in the process, causing damage to the host organism. Well-known examples of viruses causing human disease include AIDS, COVID-19, measles and smallpox.

Source: New Hampshire patient dies from rare mosquito-borne disease

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