As it is currently harvest season, and many of our members are in areas where EEE may be of concern, the CDC has asked that we share the following information.
There have been numerous media reports about EEE virus disease in the last few days. We (the CDC) are actively working with states to prevent and respond to this rare but serious mosquito-borne disease.
CDC usually receives reports of about 7 cases of EEE each year. As of September 24, CDC has received reports of 28 confirmed cases of EEE across 7 states (10 from Massachusetts, 8 from Michigan, 3 from New Jersey, 3 from Rhode Island, 2 from Connecticut, 1 from North Carolina, and 1 from Tennessee) this year, resulting in 7 deaths. This is the largest annual number of EEE cases reported to CDC in more than 50 years.
Because there is neither vaccine nor medication to prevent or treat EEE in people, the most important way for people to protect themselves from EEE and other more common mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus, is through the prevention of mosquito bites.
To best prevent mosquito bites:
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you’re outdoors.
- Keep mosquitoes out of your house by using screens on your windows and doors or use air conditioning if available.
- Once a week, remove standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs by emptying water from flower pots, buckets, barrels, wading pools, and other containers.
Additional CDC Resources
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