Mosquito borne viruses are spreading across the nation. West Nile virus in now present in thirty three states according to the Center for Disease Control with 195 reported cases of infection with Texas having the most cases. But a rare disease has now been detected: Eastern Equine Encephalitis, which killed an elderly man in New Hampshire. About 33% of patients who contract triple E die. Even Dr. Fauci, former US Public Health official, contracted West Nile. Public warnings are going out about the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases and localities are taking steps to control the insects.
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| Anopheles gambiae |
Eastern Equine Encephalitis does not cause symptoms in most people. But some can develop brain swelling and fever leading to death in about 33% of cases. There have been three cases so far this year, one each in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts compared to 38 in 2019, the worst year for outbreaks. The virus typically spreads in certain swamps, including red maple and white cedar swamps in Massachusetts. Several towns in the state--Plymouth and Oxford among them-- have been put on high alert for the disease spread. Plymouth has temporarily closed its city parks There have been 115 cases in Massachusetts since 1938 when the disease was first detected. There were seven fatalities in the 2019-20 outbreak. [graphic credit: L. Harper]
About 2 in 10 people develop symptoms from West Nile virus infections. About one in ten die from severe cases that include encephalitis. West Nile was first report in New York in 1999, and has gradually spread across the country. Other mosquito borne diseases, once confined to the tropics, are making an appearance in the US including malaria and dengue fever. Malaria infected nearly 250 million people globally in 2022 and killed more than 600,000, mostly children. About 2,600 cases of domestically acquired dengue have been reported this year. ;Many experts credit global warming for the increased disease outbreaks.