Hey guys Jarred Bronstein here and welcome back to InformOverload.
Unfortunately today’s video is on the more serious side, as a Woman has Passed Away From
Mosquito Bite.
Laurie Slyvia, a Massachusetts woman in her 50’s passed away after contracting Eastern
Equine Encephalitis (In-suf-uh-lite-issss) aka EEE, which is a rare virus that is spread
by mosquitoes.
The virus can cause brain infection, or an encephalitic illness, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, who’s website also explains the severity of the
virus can be determined by the person’s symptoms.
Mosquitoes that spread the vires are usually found around freshwater and hardwood swamps.
According to a Massachusetts government website, the mosquitoes usually contract the virus
from infected birds, who usually show no sign of illness.
The disease can also be contracted by humans, of course, as well as human and llamas, although
they do no spread the disease when infected.
For whatever reason, the disease itself seems to come back every 10 to 20 years, and last
for about 2-3 years at a time.
The most recent outbreak of EEE in Massachusetts began in 2010, lasting until 2012 involving
nine case with four fatalities.
It’s believed 1 third of those who have EEE nationally die, although some victims
can be infected with what’s known as a systemic infection, which, according the the CDC “has
an abrupt onset and is characterized by chills, fever, malaise, arthralgia, and myalgia.The
illness lasts 1 to 2 weeks, and recovery is complete when there is no central nervous
system involvement.
In infants, the encephalitic form is characterized by abrupt onset; in older children and adults,
encephalitis is manifested after a few days of systemic illness.
Signs and symptoms in encephalitic patients are fever, headache, irritability, restlessness,
drowsiness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, convulsions, and coma.”
Unfortunately there is no cure or vaccine against the infection, and those who do succumb
to the disease will tend to pass away 2-10 days after onset symptoms, but can occur much
later.
Even those who are able to fight off the virus and recover are left with “disabling and
progressive mental and physical sequelae (seh qwell eh), which can range from minimal brain
dysfunction to severe intellectual impairment, personality disorders, seizures, paralysis,
and cranial nerve dysfunction.
Many patients with severe sequelae die within a few years.”
Now although the virus appears to be deadly, or at the very least life altering, it’s
important to mention it was first identified in Massachusetts back in 1938, and since then,
there have been less than 100 recorded cases of infection.
And of the cases that have been reported, more than 60% were reported in the Plymouth
or Norfolk counties.
However as of this year, four people, a goat and three horses have tested posted for EEE
in the state.
Unfortunately their conditions are unavailable at this time.
Sylvia’s case, however, has been confirmed by the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health that it was the 4th case of the year and the first fatality.
In a statement they explained "We are working with several state agencies including MDAR,
local boards of health, local Mosquito Control Projects, and other mosquito control experts
on mosquito surveillance and appropriate public health response activities,” Outbreaks of
the virus sporadically occur every 10 to 20 years, with this year’s being one of the
more intense years.
Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said in a statement “We are seeing the most intense
level of EEE activity that we have in several years.
The largest area is in Bristol and Plymouth Counties with a second focus of activity in
parts of Worcester (Warstur) and Middlesex Counties.
We are urging people across the state to remember that the peak time for transmission of mosquito-borne
illness extends through September here in Massachusetts.”
It’s believed this is the first local outbreak of the virus in about 7 years, and currently
puts tons of communities at high risk according to state officials.
So if a deadly virus is taking over the state of Massachusetts, what are they doing and
what can those who have a risk of being infected do to protect themselves ? The state of Massachusetts
has taken to the air to spray what I’m going to assume is some sort of pesticide or mosquito
repellent, and of course have warned residents in highly affected areas to stay inside.
And although certain areas are being sprayed which will help reduced the mosquito population,
they can’t confirm that the aerial sprays will completely eliminate the disease all
together.
So if you must go out say, government officials are recommending you use a repellent, wear
long sleeved clothing and pants to cover up your body as much as possible and avoid being
outdoors during peak mosquito times, which are between dusk and dawn.
At this time of course are thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the loss of
Slyvia, and those affected by the virus.
Although it doesn’t seem like a cure or anti virus is going to be discovered as of
now, it is good to know the state of Massachusetts is doing what they can to try and control
the mosquito population.
For anyone watching this that lives in the area, please be proactive and do what you
need to to make sure you are well protected.
I’ve been your host Jarred Bronstein and we’ll see you guys in the next video.