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Massachusetts has reported its first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or "Triple E," since 2020, marking another instance of the mosquito-borne illness in the United States this year.
As Komo News reports, in 2023, three human cases of Triple E have been reported across the country, with additional cases confirmed in New Jersey and Vermont. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people infected with Triple E show no symptoms, but some can develop severe neurological issues.
Ned Walker, a professor at Michigan State University, explained that Triple E is primarily spread by mosquitoes in the eastern states, particularly along the East Coast, parts of upstate New York, and the Midwest.
"What makes Triple E different from other mosquito-borne illnesses is its severity," Walker said. "It has a mortality rate of 30 to 50 percent, and survivors often suffer lasting neurological damage because the virus affects the nervous system."
Walker also noted that experts often monitor Massachusetts as a bellwether for the spread of the virus. "We kind of look to Massachusetts as a 'canary in the coal mine' for what's happening," he said.
In response to the recent case and to protect residents in high-risk areas, Massachusetts is conducting aerial spraying with mosquito-killing pesticides. Dawn Wesson, a professor of tropical medicine at Tulane University, said that proactive spraying can be an effective measure, especially in places like sports fields.
However, Wesson emphasized that spraying alone isn't sufficient. "It's important for everyone, especially younger children and older adults who are most at risk, to use insect repellent that stays on reliably," she said.
[Information sourced from Komo News]
