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Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, a rare but extremely dangerous viral disease spread by mosquito bites, has struck several US states, causing the first known death in 2024. This virus causes an acute infection that affects the human brain and spinal cord and is one of the most dangerous insect-borne diseases in North America.
According to The Washington Post, the first fatality occurred in Hempstead, New Hampshire. The victim, whose personal data is not disclosed, succumbed to the rapid development of the disease, which, despite all the efforts of the doctors, turned out to be fatal. This has already caused a wave of anxiety among local residents and medical services.
Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is transmitted mainly through the bites of mosquitoes from the Culiseta and Aedes groups, which actively breed in wetlands. The most dangerous period of infection is at the end of summer and beginning of autumn, when these mosquitoes are most active. The virus is especially dangerous for people with weakened immunity, children and the elderly.
Symptoms begin suddenly and may include fever, severe headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against eastern equine encephalomyelitis, and no specific treatment methods have been developed. Mortality among infected individuals reaches 30-50%, and those who survive often face severe neurological complications.
On average, only 11 cases of the disease are reported in the US each year, but it has now spread to states like New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont. In response to the threat, the authorities of these states are taking emergency measures: some communities have imposed restrictions on being outdoors after dusk, closed parks, postponed public events and increased disinfection.
New Hampshire State Epidemiologist Benjamin Chan emphasized that the risk of infection will remain until the onset of severe frosts, which should kill mosquitoes. Local residents are urged to take the utmost care: use mosquito repellent, avoid being in open water and stay indoors when the sun goes down if possible.
This situation reminds us of the need for constant attention to diseases transmitted by insects, especially in the light of global climate change, which promotes the spread of new species of mosquitoes in atypical regions.
