What is eastern equine encephalitis? Has this rare disease been found in Tennessee?

Two people in the United States have died after contracting a rare case of encephalitis that is carried by mosquitos.

A person in New York became the second person in the U.S. to die of eastern equine encephalitis this year, the state confirmed on Monday. These two deaths have raised the alarm in the Northeast, prompting the New York State Health Commissioner to issue a Declaration of an Imminent Threat to Public Health due to EEE .

Eastern equine encephalitis, which can be transmitted to horses and humans, might be a rare disease, but its presence in humans raises concerns in the public health community. In Tennessee, several horses have tested positive for EEE over the past 20 years. In 2019, Tennessee documented its first-ever human case of EEE in Hamilton County, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

Here's what you need to know about eastern equine encephalitis.

What is eastern equine encephalitis?

The eastern equine encephalitis virus, which is usually shortened to EEE, is a rare disease spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.

This is a rare, but serious disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How common is eastern equine encephalitis?

According to the CDC, only 11 human cases are reported each year in the U.S. on average.

Is there a vaccine for EEE?

There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat EEE, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.

Has eastern equine encephalitis been found in Tennessee?

Tennessee has only one case of EEE in humans, but it has been found in horses over the last two decades. Here's where it has been reported in horses over the years:

What are the symptoms of eastern equine encephalitis?

Here are the symptoms of eastern equine encephalitis from the CDC:

• fever
• headache
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• seizures
• behavioral changes
• drowsiness

According to the CDC, around 30% of people who develop severe eastern equine encephalitis die, and many survivors have ongoing neurologic problems.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is eastern equine encephalitis? Has this rare disease been found in Tennessee?