Mosquitoes infected with the virus that causes the potentially deadly disease Eastern equine encephalitis virus have been found in a number of samples taken in swampy areas of Whiting, nearby Leicester, Brandon and Sudbury, Vermont, according to the health department.
Discovery of more mosquitoes carrying EEE virus
Mosquitoes infected with the virus that causes the potentially deadly disease Eastern equine encephalitis virus have been found in a number of samples taken in a swampy area of Vermont.
According to a news release from Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen, the area around the swamp system appears to be a hot spot for EEE. People are being urged to protect themselves and their horses and other animals from mosquitoes during outdoor activities.
So far this year no human cases of EEE have been reported in Vermont; last year two people who lived near the swamp died of the disease. EEE strikes the central nervous system and kills about 35 percent of the people who contract a form of the illness.
‘‘It’s definitely caught a lot of peoples’ attention,’’ said Tim Schmalz, chief of the plant industry section at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture who has been studying EEE.
Scientists have also detected West Nile virus in the state, including a human case and one in a horse. The human patient recovered.
The health department is urging anyone who goes outside during the early evening and morning hours when mosquitoes are most active to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and use insect repellant. Property owners should also fix holes in door and window screens and reduce mosquito habitat by dumping out standing water.
Schmalz said the virus builds up in birds and mosquitoes over the summer and two people and some horses died from EEE in Vermont last year causing the office to step up its efforts to understand the virus.