Health officials are reporting at least eighteen deaths from West Nile virus in the U.S. this year, with three recent deaths recorded in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Both West Nile virus and ‘triple E,’ which is eastern equine encephalitis, have had an uptick, particularly post-COVID,” Dr. Larry Han, an assistant professor of public health and health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, told ABC News.
Here are some ways to tell the difference between West Nile, EEE, and dengue.
How common are West Nile, EEE and dengue?
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the contiguous United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dengue viruses are spread through bites from infected Aedes species mosquitoes, mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, according to the CDC.
Like West Nile virus, EEE also can progress to a more severe condition, like encephalitis or meningitis, the latter of which is swelling of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
“I think the mortality risk if one were to contract dengue or West Nile virus would be very low.
There also are no vaccines available for West Nile or EEE.
How to best protect yourself from infection There are no differences when it comes to protecting yourself from dengue, EEE or West Nile virus, the experts told ABC News.
The mosquito season is still ongoing, so public health officials in the U. s. have been keeping track of numerous ailments brought on by the bothersome flying bug.
According to health officials, the West Nile virus has killed at least eighteen people in the U.S. S. three recent deaths in Wisconsin and Illinois have been reported this year. In addition to the dengue cases reported in multiple states, there have been six cases of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), including one fatal case after testing positive for the virus. Humans contract all three illnesses from viruses that are spread by mosquito bites.
“What we’ve observed is a sharp increase in some viruses that haven’t received much attention lately. Eastern equine encephalitis, or “triple E,” and the West Nile virus have both increased, especially since COVID,” Dr. Larry Han, an assistant professor of public health and health sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, told ABC News.
In comparison to previous years, there has also been an increase in dengue cases. Therefore, the public’s attention and concern have increased as a result of these “triple threats,” if you will. ****.
According to experts who spoke with ABC News, part of the spike is caused by the “randomness” of which seasons have more cases than others, in addition to the summer and early fall spike in mosquito-borne viruses.
Here are some methods for differentiating dengue, EEE, and West Nile. However, you should get in touch with your doctor right away if you think you may have come into contact with any of these viruses.
How prevalent are dengue, West Nile, and EEE?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that in the contiguous United States, West Nile virus is the main mosquito-borne disease cause. August 1999 saw the first identification of it in the Western Hemisphere following cases in New York City.
The CDC states that bites from infected Aedes species mosquitoes, which are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, transmit dengue viruses. Additionally, these mosquitoes are in charge of the Zika and chikungunya virus transmission.
Dengue cases are extremely uncommon unless you live in a more tropical region. For example, you would almost never see dengue cases in Massachusetts, the Midwest, or the West. Instead, you might see them in Florida and certain Southern states along the East Coast.
In contrast, there are very few reported cases of EEE in the U.S. s. Each year. But like dengue, the majority of cases, according to the CDC, happen in the Eastern or Gulf Coast states.
What signs and symptoms are there?
Most West Nile virus cases do not show any symptoms at all, but roughly one in five will have fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or rash. Most people’s symptoms go away in a week or less, but weakness and exhaustion can linger for several weeks or even months. However, for some, the illness may worsen and become far more serious.
Dr. Thomas Duszynski, head of epidemiology education at Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, told ABC News that “about one out of 150 of those people that develop signs and symptoms can actually develop a more severe disease, like West Nile encephalitis, where we have the swelling of the brain that could potentially be fatal.”.
In a similar vein, about one in four dengue patients experience mild symptoms that last for two to seven days. These symptoms can include fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, joint and bone pain, and muscle soreness.
According to Duszynski, the majority of U. s. People who bring the virus back to the United States after contracting dengue while traveling to countries where the disease is endemic or more common are the ones who usually report dengue cases. s. The CDC states that because dengue fever symptoms are not unique to the virus, they are frequently misdiagnosed as other illnesses.
The CDC states that the majority of EEE infections exhibit either minimal symptoms or none at all. On the other hand, symptoms of severe cases usually include vomiting, chills, headache, and fever.
Meningitis, which is characterized by swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and encephalitis are two more serious conditions that can develop from EEE, similar to the West Nile virus. Many survivors may continue to struggle with neurological issues, such as convulsions, paralysis, and intellectual disability. Approximately thirty percent of EEE-caused cases of encephalitis end in death.
“I believe that the chance of dying from West Nile or dengue fever is extremely low. Comparatively, it’s quite high for EEE,” Han remarked.
vaccinations as well as treatments.
None of the viruses have a specific treatment for any particular disease. To relieve symptoms, the CDC suggests rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications. Serious patients frequently require hospitalization and additional supportive care, like intravenous fluids.
Vaccines against West Nile or EEE are also nonexistent. In the U.S., there is a dengue vaccine available. S. and is FDA-approved for use in children (ages 9 to 16) who reside in dengue-endemic areas and have laboratory-confirmed history of prior dengue virus infection.
According to the CDC, the vaccine is included in Puerto Rico’s regular childhood immunization schedule and is accessible there as well.
A vaccine may be able to help prevent infection from a different strain of the dengue virus, as dengue can be caused by strains 1, 2, 3, or 4. A person can get dengue multiple times in their lifetime, according to Duszynski, who spoke with ABC News.
“If I get bitten by this mosquito carrying the same strain that infected me, I should be fine,” he said. However, those three other strains that are available don’t. Despite having strain 1, I could still become infected. “. .
Ways to prevent infections in the best possible way.
The experts told ABC News that there are no distinctions between protecting yourself against the West Nile virus, dengue fever, or EEE. Wearing long sleeves and long pants outside, applying effective insect repellents, and, if at all feasible, staying indoors with air conditioning are some preventive measures. To get rid of areas where mosquitoes can breed, the CDC also advises emptying containers containing still or stagnant water.
The mosquito has proven to be the most deadly animal for humans, according to Han. Thus, despite the fact that we may picture sharks, lions, or tigers, the mosquito is actually the one that has caused the extinction of the human race numerous times throughout history. ****.
“Although I disagree that all mosquitoes should be eradicated, as they serve a valuable ecological function,” Han went on, “people are considering a number of innovative methods and approaches to counteract viruses and diseases spread by mosquitoes.”. “I hope we can lessen the threat that viruses carried by mosquitoes pose to humankind. “. .
