New Hampshire Emu Dies from EEE

Saturday Sept 26, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- An emu that died in New Hampshire from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has made officials aware that the disease has moved into the southwestern portion of the state.

The illness is the most serious mosquito borne illness in the United States; the mortality rate stands at 33% of those who become infected with the most serious form of the disease.   The states that are the most likely to have mosquitoes carrying the illness are the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states.

According to the CDC website, the illness can result in either one of two forms:  systemic illness or encephalitic illness.  Systemic illness happens abruptly, lasts for 1 or 2 weeks, with symptoms of fever, aches, chills and malaise; the central nervous system remains largely unaffected.  Once the systemic illness has run its course, the patient makes a full recovery.

Encephalitic illness involves encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, and is a much more serious illness.  Symptoms are headache, fever, coma, and even death.  Those who survive the encephalitic form of EEE are very often brain injured.

Because of where the emu was located in the state, officials believe the disease was carried through bird droppings (mosquitoes have only a three mile range) from other areas of the state where known cases have already been reported.

While there is no cure for EEE, treatment is based on the particular symptoms an individual may have.  Adults can protect themselves through clothing, staying indoors while mosquitoes are the most active, and using insect repellant.

By Rachel Stockton rachels at foodconsumer dot org