Mosquitoes are known as the most dangerous insects in the world. While their bite may seem like an itchy annoyance, these warm-weather-loving pests can leave more than just a little red bump.
Mosquitoes are known to transmit serious diseases, such as West Nile, Malaria, and Yellow Fever, even in remote Eastern Pennsylvania, especially among the low-lying valleys near Allentown, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre.
A recent outbreak of Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been circulating nationwide, which has alerted many state authorities. The best way to protect you and your family is to prevent it. Here’s what you need to know about the Triple E threat.
What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis?
Triple E is a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord of its victim, the results of which can be deadly. However, most people infected with Triple E will not experience symptoms.
Those who do feel the effects of the disease will encounter flu-like symptoms within the first few days. Once inside, the virus replicates and travels through the bloodstream.
Unfortunately, about 5% of people may develop a rare infection that could turn deadly if the virus crosses the brain-blood barrier. This results in the most severe symptoms: swelling and inflammation of the brain. This severe case is encephalitis.
Though people rarely contract it, it can have fatal results. 30% of people who contract the serious form of Triple E will die or experience neurological problems permanently.
How Triple E Transmitted?
People can contract Eastern Equine Encephalitis from being bitten by an infected female mosquito. Marsh lovers by nature, these biting pests contract this deadly disease from infected birds that live in the surrounding area.
This virus can be spread through these deadly little pests to other mammals, including horses. While other animals are affected, the most profound impact has been seen with humans and horses.
These infected mosquitoes are commonly found on the Gulf Coast. Reported cases have sprouted across the coast in some of the following states: Florida, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The height of the danger is between the late spring and early fall, when mosquito populations are most prominent.
Is Triple E Contagious?
Fortunately, Triple E cannot be passed through physical contact from person to person. It can’t be spread from animals to people or even animals to animals. The only way to spread this deadly virus is through the bloodstream or through an infected mosquito.
What Are The Symptoms of Triple E?
Not everyone bitten by a mosquito infected with the Triple E virus will show signs of illness. But for those who do, symptoms can progress rapidly and may be life-threatening.
The disease often begins with flu-like symptoms but can quickly evolve into a dangerous brain infection in more severe cases.
Common symptoms include:
- Sudden high fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Symptoms resembling the flu (lasting up to two weeks)
In severe cases, symptoms can worsen to include:
- Confusion
- Excessive drowsiness
- Severe headaches
- Signs of brain infection (encephalitis)
- Coma
- Death
Long-term effects for survivors of severe infection:
- Permanent brain damage
- Intellectual impairment
- Paralysis
- Personality changes or disorders
In most mild cases, individuals may recover after about two weeks of flu-like symptoms. However, the severe form of Triple E is far more dangerous and often begins just four days after the initial symptoms, as the virus begins to affect the brain.
Tragically, one in three people who develop severe Eastern Equine Encephalitis die within ten days. Even those who survive may suffer lifelong neurological damage, significantly altering their quality of life.
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent Triple E in humans, making mosquito bite prevention critical, especially during peak mosquito season.
Is Triple E Found In Pennsylvania?
Fortunately, triple E is incredibly rare in Pennsylvania, with only 2 cases reported since 1964. Nevertheless, it is still possible to get triple E and other diseases that mosquitoes carry, such as West Nile and Malaria.
How Can I Avoid Triple E?
While Triple E and other serious mosquito-related diseases may be rare, it’s still important to practice proper prevention to avoid the risk altogether.
Here are some tips to follow to avoid mosquito-transmitted illnesses.
- Seal and Repair Everything: Keep mosquitoes out of your home by performing regular maintenance on your property. Make sure pests stay out by not letting them in in the first place. Repair any holes in screens and windows. Seal up cracks and potential entryways.
- Don’t Stand for Standing Water: Mosquitoes rely on stagnant pools of water to breed and lay their eggs. Be mindful of areas in your yard that may gather water: gutters, birdbaths, lawn equipment, tarps, etc. Do regular checks around your property and be sure there is no place for these little pests to settle down.
- Keep Your Yard Clean: Mosquitoes thrive in marshy, overgrown areas like stagnant water. Keep your yard trim, cut your grass and shrubs often, and don’t let your overgrowth get out of control.
- Limit Outdoor Activities During Peak Times: Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. So, the best way to avoid these pests is to stay inside. Limit your outdoor activity during these peak times, and you’ll avoid contracting this deadly virus.
- Keep Skin Covered: If you can’t avoid heading outdoors during peak times, or you just want to protect yourself whenever you leave the house, just keep yourself covered. Long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes can effectively keep you safe from mosquito bites. Keep in mind that mosquitoes are capable of biting through thin clothing. Be sure to select the best clothes when you leave the house for the day.
- Use Protective Spray: A good way to stay safe and enjoy the outdoors is to use insect repellent, particularly one with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon or eucalyptus. If you want to go a step further, you can apply permethrin to your clothes.
- Treat Your Yard: If your mosquito problem is constant, consider having a pest control expert spray your yard. Effective treatments can keep your family safe and keep mosquitoes out of your life.
As small as they are, mosquitoes can cause deadly problems for Pennsylvania homeowners. Be sure to keep yourself safe and take the necessary precautions throughout the year. Avoid the Triple E threat and keep these pests away from your home for good.
FAQs
How soon do symptoms appear after being bitten?
Symptoms of Triple E usually develop 4 to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. At first, they often resemble the flu—sudden fever, chills, and body aches—but in some cases, the illness can quickly progress to more serious neurological symptoms.
Can Triple E be treated?
There is no specific antiviral treatment for Triple E. Instead, medical care is supportive, focusing on relieving symptoms and managing complications. In severe cases, hospitalization may be needed to address swelling of the brain and other critical symptoms.
Is Triple E fatal?
Unfortunately, yes. Around one in three people who develop the severe form of Triple E, involving the brain, die within 10 days of symptom onset. Survivors often face long-term effects, including brain damage, intellectual impairment, and other serious neurological problems.
Who is most at risk?
People over the age of 50 and young children are at the highest risk for developing severe illness from Triple E. However, anyone bitten by an infected mosquito can potentially become seriously ill, even if they are otherwise healthy.
