A person in New York died Monday, Sept. 30, after a contracting a rare virus not seen in the state in more than a decade.
The person died after being diagnosed with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a virus spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito, ABC News reported .
Only about 11 human cases of the virus are reported each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Though the virus is rare, roughly a third of all people who develop a severe version of the virus die , and those who survive are left with long-term physical and mental problems, ranging from personality disorders to paralysis , the CDC says.
Could the virus make its way to North Carolina? Here’s everything you need to know.
Could eastern equine encephalitis come to NC?
There’s no evidence to show that EEE will be worse in North Carolina this year , but rain from recent tropical storms and Hurricane Helene could lead to more mosquito activity in the state, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Entomologist Mike Doyle told The Charlotte Observer.
“The extra rain from Debbie...has increased water significantly on the eastern part of the state, so there’s more mosquito larval sites, or mosquitoes growing in the water presently, but we don’t have the evidence of infection within the mosquitoes or humans so far,” Doyle said.
There haven’t been any human cases of EEE reported in North Carolina this year, but there have been cases in the past , CDC data show . The most recent case occurred in 2021.
North Carolina averages about one case of EEE per year, and the disease is more common in the eastern part of the state than in other geographic regions, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services .
Historical CDC data show that at least one human case of EEE has been reported in the following counties since 2003:
Catawba
Mecklenburg
Pitt
Perquimans
Pender
Brunswick
Cumberland
Hoke
Robeson
There have been 10 human cases of EEE reported in the U.S. this year, according to CDC data.
Non-human cases and infections, or cases found in mosquitoes, birds and other animals, have been reported in the majority of coastal and piedmont counties in North Carolina since 2003, CDC data show.
Who is most at-risk of contracting eastern equine encephalitis?
The CDC says the following groups are at increased risk of infection :
Residents of and visitors to areas with eastern equine encephalitis virus activity (the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states)
People who work and participate in recreational activities outdoors in endemic areas
People over 50 years of age or under 15 years of age
What are the symptoms of eastern equine encephalitis?
Most people with EEE have no symptoms, but the CDC says symptoms of severe cases include:
Fever
Headache
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Seizures
Behavioral changes
Drowsiness
The symptoms of EEE are similar to other neuro-invasive mosquito viruses, such as West Nile virus and La Crosse encephalitis , which are more common than EEE, Doyle said.
“They all start very similar,” said Doyle. “It’s not something that the average person or even physician, in many cases, could tell the difference early in the disease. And so we encourage people to seek medical attention from a health provider, and the provider can order a test through the state laboratory that covers all of the known viruses here.”
How to prevent eastern equine encephalitis
There are no vaccines or treatment for EEE, but you can reduce your chances of contracting the virus by preventing mosquito bites , according to the CDC.
Here are some ways you can prevent mosquito bites, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency :
Remove mosquito habitats by eliminating standing water in rain gutters, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
Use structural barriers by covering gaps in walls, doors, and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering and making sure window and door screens are in good working order.
Avoid getting bitten by keeping mosquitoes away from exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. You can also tuck your shirt into your pants and pants into socks to cover gaps in your clothing where mosquitoes can get to your skin. Using insect repellent can also be helpful.
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