2017 Eastern Equine Encephalitis Events

Abstract

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus is a serious, mosquito-borne illness in horses that can also affect people. The freshwater swamp mosquito, Culiseta melanura, commonly known as the blacktailed mosquito, is the primary vector. A mosquito is capable of transmitting the virus 2 to 3 days after becoming infected with EEE virus. Infected mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals can transmit the disease to horses and humans. Eastern equine encephalitis virus is a rare illness in humans, and only a few cases are reported in the United States each year. Most cases occur in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states.