September Prime Time For EEE, West Nile, Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases

ACROSS AMERICA — Early September is a prime time for mosquitoes to bite, spreading mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, which has sickened hundreds of people across the country and killed at least 18, and Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, which officials say is responsible for a New Hampshire man’s death last month.

At least 377 people in 38 states, including recently retired National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci, have been infected with West Nile virus this year. Preliminary data released last month by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates at least 18 people have died of West Nile virus infections this year.

The majority of patients — 255 of them as of Sept.3 — have been hospitalized after developing severe neurological problems such as inflammation of the brain or paralysis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people who contract West Nile Virus have few symptoms, but about 1 in 5 develop a fever and other symptoms. Fewer than 1 percent of those infected develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurologic illness.

EEE is rare but serious disease, killing at least 30 percent of people who develop severe symptoms, and leaving many other survivors with ongoing neurological problems, according to the CDC. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness. Mild, flu-like symptoms include chills, muscle aches, and joint pain.

In New Hampshire, EEE has been detected in one horse and seven mosquito batches so far this summer. A second patient is on a ventilator and fighting for his life after he was infected with three mosquito-borne viruses — EEE, West Nile virus and St. Louis Encephalitis, although infectious disease doctors and the CDC don’t know specifically which one is making him sick, CBS News reported.

A human case of EEE was confirmed in Massachusetts in July, and a second person and her horse were infected with EEE last month, the state health department said in a news release. There have been 76 EEE-positive mosquito samples taken so far this year in Massachusetts, where some towns have set voluntary evening curfews and closed parks to curb the spread of the virus.

EEE cases have also been reported in Vermont, Wisconsin and New Jersey, each with a single case. Mosquitos have tested positive for the virus in multiple Gulf Coast and East Coast states, according to the CDC.

“What we’ve seen is a rapid uptake in certain viruses that haven’t been in the limelight in recent years. Both West Nile virus and ‘triple E’ … have had an uptick, particularly post-COVID,” Dr. Larry Han, an assistant professor of public health and health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, told ABC News.

“There’s also been a rise in dengue relative to what we’ve seen in recent years. And so, these ‘triple threats,’ you might say, have led to more attention and more worry among the general populace,” he said.

“It’s déjà vu all over again,” Richard Pollack, PhD, a senior environmental public health officer at Harvard University in Boston, said of the seasonal return of these viruses in an interview with Everyday Health.

“West Nile virus spread from coast to coast some years ago, and it is here to stay, and you can expect it to be encountered in most any community every year,” he said, adding that EEE, which is traditionally limited to Gulf and East Coast states, is also likely to return each year in the late summer and early fall.

Here are five things to know about mosquito-borne diseases:

How Are EEE And West Nile Diagnosed?

The symptoms of West Nile and EEE are so similar there’s no way of knowing which virus is making a person sick without a blood test or, if a person has severe neurologic symptoms, by removing fluid through a spinal tap.

Because there’s no treatment for the illnesses, other than for the symptoms themselves, lab results don’t necessarily influence patient care. However, they inform public health officials about where mosquitoes are spreading potentially deadly diseases and where mitigation efforts should be focused, NBC News reported.

“All we really can do is keep them hydrated, keep their fevers down and make sure they don’t have respiratory failure,” epidemiologist Dr. W. Ian Lipkin, director of the Center for Infection and Immunity at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, told the network.

Other Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

EEE and West Nile aren’t the only mosquito-borne diseases. More than 200 types of mosquitoes live in the continental United States and U.S. territories, and about 12 of them spread germs that can make people sick, according to the CDC.

Other diseases include dengue, chikungunya, Zika and malaria.

Except for malaria, most mosquito-borne diseases don’t have preventative medicines or specific treatments beyond those for symptoms such as fever or pain.

The CDC urges people who are traveling to areas with malaria to get a vaccination.

How To Discourage Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes thrive in the warm-weather months of April through September. The bloodsuckers especially like to feast at this time of year and, in fact, prefer feeding on humans and breeding in man-made habitats. Mosquitoes are thick in swampy and woodsy areas, but also in urban parks, neighborhoods and cities.

The best thing to do to control mosquitoes in your neighborhood is to drain standing or stagnant water, where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Just a teaspoon of water is enough surface water for 300 mosquito eggs.

Experts advise changing the water in pet drinking bowls, bird baths and kiddie pools at least once a week. Also, make sure rainwater tanks or barrels are screened to limit mosquito entry, and get rid of or drill holes i any old tires or vessels that can hold water.

Mosquitoes can bite at any time of the day, but are most likely to at dawn or dusk. Especially during these times, wear clothing that covers the skin and use an insect repellent, on yourself and on your gear.

What Insect Repellents Work Best?

A good repellent can dramatically reduce the number of mosquito bites a person receives. Health officials recommend using an insect repellent that contains 25 percent to 40 percent DEET or 20 percent picaridin.

Some brands to consider include Deep Woods Off, Cutter Backwoods Dry, Sawyer Products Picaridin Insect Repellent, Ranger Ready Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray and Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent Lotion, according to National Geographic.

For kids, consider Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition, which also includes a sunscreen. And for a natural repellent, Repel Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent. The active ingredient is oil of lemon eucalyptus, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found is safe and effective,

The EPA’s “Find the Repellent that is Right for You” has more recommendations.

Should You Scratch The Itch?

All mosquito bites, disease-transmitting or not, can itch. As tempting as it is to scratch, that can intensify the itch, increase swelling and break the skin, which can lead to an infection that will last days or longer and can become very serious without treatment.

People who are allergic to the saliva of the biting mosquito can develop what’s called “skeeter syndrome,” whose symptoms include the development of large areas of swelling eight to 10 hours after the bite, itching, fever and possibly blisters.

Several over-the-counter antihistamine or corticosteroid cream creams and home remedies, such as a paste of baking soda and water, can relieve the itch, giving the bite a better chance of healing without complications. Also, an ice pack can reduce swelling.