EEE VIRUS THREAT IN MASSACHUSETTS: PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY | 2024

have you ever heard of a virus that can cause brain inflammation spread by something as small as a mosquito it's called EE and while it's rare it's something we need to be aware of here in Massachusetts in today's video we're going to unpack everything you need to know about ee how it spreads and most importantly how you can protect yourself and your family hey everyone welcome back to the channel I hope you're all staying safe and healthy today we're diving deep into a topic that's been causing some concern here in Massachusetts the Eastern ecoin entis virus more commonly known as ee now I know that sounds like a mouthful and it might even sound a bit scary but don't worry we're going to break it all down and talk about how we can protect ourselves and our loved ones let's start with the basics what exactly is EE well as the name suggests it's a virus that primarily affects horses but it can also infect humans and other animals the encite is part of the name refers to inflammation of the brain which is one of the most severe consequences of this infection now before we go any further I want to emphasize something important ee is rare in humans we're not talking about a widespread epidemic here however when cases do occur they can be very serious which is why it's crucial to be informed and take precautions so how does ee spread the virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes these aren't just any mosquitoes though the primary culprits are species that live in and around freshwater hardwood swamps in Massachusetts we have quite a few of these habitats which is why our state sees cases of ee more frequently than some others let's talk about the life cycle of the virus for a moment because understanding this can help us grasp why outbreaks occur ee typically circulates between mosquitoes and birds in swampy areas birds can carry the virus without getting sick acting as a res resir the problem arises when mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals including humans become infected these Bridge vectors can then transmit the virus to horses humans and other mammals now you might be wondering if this virus primarily affects horses why should I be concerned well while horses are indeed more susceptible to EE humans can and do get infected and when humans are infected the consequences can be severe let's break down what happened when a person gets infected with EE it's important to note that not everyone who gets bitten by an infected mosquito will develop symptoms in fact many people who are infected may never know it but for those who do develop symptoms here's what it might look like the incubation period That's the time between getting bitten and showing symptoms is usually 4 to 10 days initially you might experience flu like symptoms fever chills fatigue and general body aches this is what we call call the systemic phase of the illness for many people the illness doesn't progress Beyond this point but in some cases the virus can invade the central nervous system leading to the encyc phase this is where things get more serious symptoms can include high fever severe headache stiff neck disorientation or confusion seizures coma it's a scary list I no and unfortunately ee can be fatal in about 30% of cases that reach this stage even for those who recover many are left with ongoing neurological problems but remember we're talking about a rare disease here on average there are only about seven cases of ee reported in the entire United States each year however some years see more cases than others and that's why we need to be vigilant especially here in Massachusetts so why does Mass seem to be a hot spot for ee it all comes down to our environment our state has the perfect combination of factors that allow the ee virus to thrive we have numerous freshwater swamps which are the ideal breeding ground for the mosquito species that carry ee we have the right Bird populations that act as reservoirs for the virus our climate provides a long enough warm season for mosquito populations to grow and for the virus to amplify in fact Massachusetts has recorded more cases of ee than any other state in the past decade this doesn't mean we're all in immediate danger but it does mean we need to take this threat seriously now I can almost hear some of you thinking okay this sounds pretty bad is there a vaccine or a cure unfortunately the answer is no at least not for humans there is a vaccine available for horses and it's highly effective but for humans we don't have a vaccine or a specific treatment for EE If someone becomes seriously ill with EE treatment focuses on supportive care managing symptoms preventing complications and allowing the body's immune system to fight off the virus this lack of specific treatment is why prevention is so crucial and that brings us to the most important part of our discussion today how can we protect ourselves and our families from ee the good news is that there are several effective strategies we can use to reduce our risk let's go through them one by one use insect repellent this is your first line of defense when you're going to be outdoors especially during Dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active use an EPA registered insect repellent look for products containing DEET P oriden IR 3535 oil of Lemon Eucalyptus parane Dio or two undecanone de is considered the gold standard but any of these will work just make sure you follow the instructions on the label cover up wear long sleeved shirts and long pants when you're outside I know I know it's not always comfortable especially on hot summer days but it's an effective way to prevent mosquito bites light colored clothing is best as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors mosquito proof your home install or repair screens on Windows and Doors to keep mosquitoes out if you're sleeping outside or in an area without screens use a mosquito net eliminate standing water mosquitoes lay there eggs in standing water so getting rid of it can significantly reduce the mosquito population around your home once a week empty and scrub turn over cover or throw out any items that hold water this includes things like buckets Planters toys pools bird baths flower pot saucers and trash containers consider your Landscaping some plants can help repel mosquitoes naturally consider planting citronella marigolds lavender or Rosemary around your outdoor living areas be aware of peak mosquito hours mosquitoes are most active during Dawn and dusk if possible limit outdoor activities during these times if you must be outside be extra vigilant about using repellent and protective clothing stay informed keep an eye on alerts from your local Health Department they'll often issue warnings when ee activity is high in your area during times of high risk they might even advise canceling outdoor events or avoiding certain areas protect those at higher risk children and older adults are at higher risk for severe illness if infected with EE take extra precautions to protect these groups now let's talk about some common questions and misconceptions about EE and mosquito prevention can I get EE from another person no ee is not transmitted from person to person you can only get it from the bite of an infected mosquito if I've had ee before am I immune while you might develop some immunity it's not clear how long it lasts or how protective it is it's best to continue taking precautions even if you've had ee in the past do mosquito zappers or ultrasonic devices work to repel mosquitoes unfortunately Studies have shown that these devices are not effective in reducing mosquito bites stick to proven methods like repellent and eliminating standing water is climate change affecting ee risk this is a great question question and it's something scientists are actively studying there's evidence to suggest that climate change could be expanding the range of mosquitoes that carry EE and extending the season during which transmission can occur this makes it even more important to stay informed and take precautions what should I do if I think I have ee if you develop symptoms like fever headache and stiff neck especially after being bitten by mosquitoes seek medical attention immediately make sure to tell your healthcare provider about your recent mosquito exposure now I want to address something important with all this talk about the dangers of ee it's easy to feel scared or overwhelmed but remember knowledge is Power by understanding the risk and taking these preventive measures you're already doing a lot to protect yourself and your family it's also worth noting that public health officials in Massachusetts are working hard to Monitor and control mosquito populations they conduct regular testing of mosquito pools for EE and other mosquito born viruses when they detect high levels of virus activity they may Implement mosquito control measures such as targeted spraying however we can't rely solely on these efforts each of us has a role to play in preventing ee by taking the precautions we've discussed and staying informed we can significantly reduce our risk let's also remember that while ee is a serious concern it shouldn't prevent us from enjoying the outdoors Massachusetts beautiful natural areas and outdoor activities are great for our physical and mental health the key is to enjoy these activities safely armed with knowledge and the right precautions before we wrap up let's quickly recap the main points ee is a rare but serious mosquito born illness that can cause brain inflammation Massachusetts is at higher risk due to our environmental conditions there's no human vaccine or specific treatment for ee so prevention is key use insect repellent cover up eliminate standing water and be aware of peak mosquito hours stay informed about ee activity in your area and follow local Health advisories remember we're all in this together share this information with your friends and family the more people who are aware in taking precautions the safer our entire Community will be thank you for taking the time to learn about ee today by staying informed and taking these simple precautions we can enjoy our beautiful Massachusetts Summers while keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe if you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to your local Health Department or healthc care provider stay safe stay healthy and don't let the mosquitoes bite until next time take care everyone