By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Indiana health officials reported that a Elkhart County resident contracted the mosquito-borne viral infection, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), the first human case in the Hoosier state in 21 years.

Indiana counties/Cool10191

The individual died from the viral infection.

This is the first human case in Indiana since 1998 and only the fourth reported since 1964.

In addition to the human case, state officials have reported 13 confirmed EEE cases in horses–10 in Elkhart County and three in LaGrange County.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is spread to horses and humans by infected mosquitoes, including several Culex species and Culiseta melanura.

Symptoms of EEE disease often appear 4 to 10 days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito.

EEE is a more serious disease than West Nile Virus (WNV) and carries a high mortality rate for those who contract the serious encephalitis form of the illness. Symptoms may include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, and sore throat. There is no specific treatment for the disease, which can lead to seizures and coma.

About one-third of human cases are fatal.


Michigan reports 4th EEE death

Florida: No human EEE reported in 2019 to date

Connecticut reports 3rd human EEE death

EEE: Massachusetts reports 12th human case