- A ProMED-mail post
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- Savannah Morning News
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- The number of horses infected with eastern equine encephalitis
(EEE) has tripled in the last 2 weeks in Georgia, North Carolina, and South
Carolina, health officials said on Tuesday. "We usually don't see
this level of activity until late in the summer, so we're concerned,"
said Debbie Crane of North Carolina's health department.
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- South Carolina has 45 horse cases of the disease, which
is almost always fatal to unvaccinated horses. Georgia has reported 32
horse cases and 10 infected birds. North Carolina has reported 13 horse
cases. Although it rarely affects people -- there have only been about
150 confirmed cases of the disease in the last 40 years -- it can be more
deadly than another mosquitoborne disease, West Nile virus (WNV).
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- EEE kills about 50 per cent of people who catch it, compared
with only 15 per cent for WNV. A Georgia man died from EEE in June 2003
in the nation's first human case this year. Some owners have vaccinated
their horses only against WNV, Dr Venaye Reece of Clemson University said.
Health officials are urging people to be vigilant about both diseases.
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- http://www.savannahnow.com/stories/071603/LOCEncephalitis.shtml>
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- New Bern Sun Journal
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- Cases of eastern equine encephalitis are showing up in
chickens earlier than normal this year, prompting state and local environmental
health officials to urge people to take precautions. "People really
need to take care not to get bitten by mosquitoes," said Nolan Newton,
chief of the Public Health and Pest Management Section of the North Carolina
Division of Environmental Health. This is especially true along the coast,
as EEE has already been found in test flocks of chickens, Newton said.
So far, 2 chickens in Bladen County, 2 in Currituck County, 1 in Pamlico,
1 in Jones and 1 in Pender have tested positive for EEE.
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- "It's very unusual for us to see this kind of activity
this early in the year," Newton said. He said it is normally late
August before the state starts seeing this many cases. He attributed this
year's early cases to the above normal amounts of rainfall that help mosquitoes
breed.
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- There have been no reported cases of EEE in humans in
North Carolina yet this year. There were 2 in 2002, Newton said. One of
those was in Pamlico County. EEE is a viral illness that can occur in humans,
horses, and birds. It is transmitted by some species of mosquitoes and
attacks the central nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain.
"It's a very rare disease, but it is a very serious disease,"
Newton said. 50 to 70 per cent of those who contract EEE die, and those
who survive usually suffer long term neurological disorders such as paralysis,
he said.
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- Following confirmation that a chicken in the Maysville
area tested positive for EEE, the Jones County Health Department sent out
a notice Tuesday for residents to take precautions. "We want them
to be aware, but not alarmed," said Jones County health director Ruth
Little.
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- http://www.newbernsunjournal.com/Details.cfm?StoryID=9997
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- Fayetteville Online
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- Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has been confirmed
in a horse in Columbus County, and a child is being tested for the mosquitoborne
disease, health officials said on Tuesday. The child, who is from the Tabor
City area, was admitted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill last week, said
Marian Duncan, the Columbus County health director. Results of the tests
should be available this week, she said.
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- The horse was kept on Arthur Collier Road north of Evergreen.
Duncan is asking residents to protect themselves against mosquitoes, which
transmit the disease.
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- "Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare disease in
humans, but it can be serious and even fatal," Duncan said. "The
presence of the virus in animals tells us that it is in the area, and that
means taking more precautions against mosquito bites." Wild birds
serve as reservoirs for the virus. Mosquitoes bite the birds and can then
transmit the virus to humans and animals. "People should use mosquito
repellent with DEET and follow the instructions on the label, she said.
Wear long pants and long-sleeved garments when outside," Duncan said,
"and avoid going out at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active."
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- People should also: -Remove containers that can hold
water, even a small amount -Keep gutters clean and in good repair -Repair
leaky outdoor faucets and change the water in birdbaths and pet bowls at
least twice a week -Use screened windows and doors and make sure screens
fit tightly and are not torn.
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- The viral illness attacks the central nervous system,
and about half of the people infected with the disease die. Young children
and the elderly are most at risk. North Carolina averages about one case
in humans each year. Symptoms in people, which resemble those of the flu,
include fever and headache. A vaccine for horses is available, but a human
vaccine does not exist.
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- http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=region&Story=5764863
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- ----- ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
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- [A release from the North Carolina Health Department
may have included some of these same precautions about clothing and eliminating
places for mosquitoes to breed. However, the release also contained the
statement: "A health department release advises residents to use mosquito
repellant or wear long sleeves and long pants when outside." Mosquito
repellants should not be used on children younger than 6 months, the release
states. Products made for children, with no more than 10 per cent DEET,
may be used once daily on those 6 months to 2 years. Children from 3 years
to 12 years can use a children's strength product up to 3 times a day and
those 13 and older can use products containing up to 30 per cent DEET,
the release states.
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- EEE is endemic in the southern and eastern regions of
the United States. Southern portions of Louisiana and Texas have been experiencing
early outbreaks of EEE for several years. Horse owners are encouraged to
vaccinate. Initially, 2 vaccinations about 3 weeks apart are recommended
followed by yearly boosters thereafter, but immunity to EEE is short. In
areas where the mosquito season is very long, horse owners may want to
consider vaccinating twice during the year. It is best to check with a
veterinarian in your area.
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- Though chickens and other birds are good sentinels, emus
seem especially sensitive to EEE. This was important to the emu breeder
when that market was high; however, owners of those birds still need to
be aware the birds are susceptible to the virus. - Mod.TG] ...................tg/pg/sh
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- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD Please visit my "Emerging
Diseases" message board at: http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa Go with God and in Good Health
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