The West Nile Virus has been terrorizing Massachusetts and has infected nine people so far. However, a new mosquito borne virus which is the Eastern Equine Encephalitis or EEE only has two victims.
The contradiction in the observation that the virus was at its lowest level this year has left researchers baffled. "That's very unusual, this tells us EEE was here, but at an extraordinarily low level," Veterinarian Dr. Catherine M. Brown of the Department of Public Health said.
"There were 164 mosquito pool samples that tested positive for West Nile virus this year, and the virus was present in every Massachusetts county outside of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard," Metrowest Daily News reported. However, out of the 4000 samples of mosquito ridden pools, only one was found as a positive carrier for EEE. Its strain of specie that was observed as the carrier culiseta melanura, breeds mostly in cedar swamps.
The development of these mosquitoes is long that's why it needs stable stagnant water for a long period of time. The weather has been observed as one of the catalysts for the breeding and development of these mosquitoes, and though the case is existent all year round, the reported infection was more particular in August and September. With the autumn frost just around the corner, the reported cases are expected to die down.
The West Nile Virus infection takes about two to six days and even up to fourteen days of incubation for the infection to develop, however, only a few of those infected really get sick, as the statistics say that only 20 percent to 30 percent of the infected will develop symptoms, and one out of five will progress to other symptoms such as fever, body and joint pains, vomiting and diarrhoea, and rash. Although the recovery period is absolute, the fatigue and weakness can last longer and lastly, only 1 percent develops life threatening neurological illness such as encephalitis and meningitis, which could lead into a coma and sometimes death.
The state of Mississippi had 43 cases in 2014 and 38 cases in 2015, all laboratory-confirmed. Its Health Department issued to residents precautionary measures to prevent contracting mosquito borne infections such as using DEET mosquito repellent, being mindful of the stagnant water around the area that could be a breeding ground for carriers, and avoiding mosquito laden areas if possible.
