Eastern equine encephalitis

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a powerful and deadly virus. It kills about 30 percent of humans who become infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A third of those afflicted have ongoing neurologic problems or suffer permanent neurological damage. The rest recover with little or no long-term health effects.

EEE, or “triple E,” is a rare but life-threatening virus that can wreak havoc in livestock and cause permanent brain damage in people, resulting in seizures, mental impairment, and even personality changes in survivors of the disease.

EEE is incurable, but its symptoms can be successfully treated if it’s caught before it spreads to the brain. About a third of patients with EEE die, either within weeks of getting this disease or years later as a result of ongoing physical and mental impairment.

Triple E is most often found in the northeastern United States in swampy, wooded areas from late spring to early fall. It can also be found in southern states into the winter months.

Call Fort Pitt Exterminators to treat areas around your home or business where mosquito populations breed: Call (412)441-6300

EEE infections this year are already beyond the typical five to 10 human cases per season. Here’s what we know about the places that are affected, and how residents can stay safe.

At least 10 horses have been euthanized after an EEE diagnosis in the state of Michigan, according to a Equine Management office, including in Morris, Salem, Ocean and Atlantic counties.