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Eastern Equine Encephalitis
A horse has recently died and tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Lebanon, in York County, Maine. An emu also recently tested positive in nearby Barnstead, NH. Because there is a risk of human transmission of EEE from infected mosquitoes to people in the area of positive animals, Maine CDC within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Department of Agriculture are alerting physicians, veterinarians, and other health care providers of this activity, and providing laboratory testing criteria and guidelines.
 Risk Groups
The transmission cycle is most common in coastal areas and freshwater swamps. Human cases occur relatively infrequently, largely because the primary transmission cycle takes place in swamp areas where human populations tend to be limited. Those people at most risk are:
- Residents of and visitors to endemic areas
- People who engage in outdoor work and recreational activities
- Persons over age 50 and younger than age 15 seem to be at greatest risk for developing severe disease
Diagnostic Tests for EEE Infection
EEE infection can be suspected in a person based on clinical symptoms and patient history, but laboratory testing is required for a confirmed diagnosis. Because the symptoms can be similar, physicians often also test for West nile and St. Louis Encephalitis at the same time. State officials are asking that all specimens be submitted to Maine CDC’s Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL), rather than commercial laboratories.
Prevention
When people are outdoors and it is warmer than 60 degrees, Maine CDC recommends wearing long sleeves and pants as well as applying a DEET-containing insect repellent can reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Horse owners are urged to vaccinate their horses against EEE annually.
For More Information
Maine CDC Arbovirus Website
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/arbovirus/index.htm
US CDC EEE Website
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/eeefact.htm
Maine Department of Agriculture Animal Health Website
http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/ahi/index.html
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