Hirsch dies of EEE virus in Connecticut – NBC Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that a deer infected with electrical and electronic equipment had died.

State officials said a white-tailed deer exhibiting neurological symptoms in Lisbon died Aug. 12 from complications of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) infection.

EEE is a serious but rare disease caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes. Infection can cause significant brain damage.

There have been no reported cases of EEE in humans or horses in Connecticut so far this year. However, cases have been reported in neighboring states such as Massachusetts, Vermont and New Jersey.

After the deer died, an autopsy was performed that revealed EEE, a virus first detected in mosquitoes last month.

Earlier this year, scientists who tested for the virus reported that they had found increased activity. This is partly due to the weather this summer. It is a paradise for mosquitoes and the viruses they can bring with them.

Humans can become infected with EEE through the bite of an infected mosquito. Human cases are rare but can be very serious. About 40% of those infected die from complications of the virus.

Symptoms may include fever with chills, aching limbs, and joint pain. In more severe cases, patients may develop meningitis or encephalitis (infection of the brain).

To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, residents should:

• Spend as little time outdoors as possible between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Consider using mosquito repellents with an EPA-registered active ingredient such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, paramethandiol (PMD), or 2-undecanone if you must be outdoors.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when you are outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored, loose-fitting and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• Make sure door and window grilles close tightly and are in good condition.
• Use mosquito nets when sleeping outdoors or in an unprotected structure and to protect young children outdoors.