Concern Over EEE Mosquito Virus Mounts in CT as Second Person Dies

After reports of a second person dying from Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, Connecticut health officials are issuing a warning for people to take precautions.

As we reported here last week, Connecticut Health officials were concerned after the first case of the deadly mosquito virus EEE had been confirmed in East Lyme. According to wfsb.com, the woman who was infected there died a few days later, now the virus has claimed another life, this time in Old Lyme.

The EEE virus has already been detected in 13 Connecticut towns, the latest being South Windsor, prompting health officials to issue a warning to residents to take precautions.

As of last week, many towns in the area where the virus has been detected have closed all town athletic fields, parks, and other outdoor facilities at 5:30 p.m. until further notice.

The Department of Public Health continues to urge people to limit time outside during morning and early evening hours when mosquito activity is high, and to make sure you cover bare skin. The department also said that mosquitoes will continue to be active until the first heavy frost.

Health officials do say that contracting the virus is rare, and that it takes anywhere from four to ten days after being bit by an infected mosquito to start to see the first symptoms.

The DPH also says that approximately a third of patients who get Eastern Equine Encephalitis die from the virus and unfortunately, there's no specific treatment or vaccines that can be used to cure the virus.

For more information about the most frequently asked questions about EEE, and ways to prevent getting the virus visit the State of Connecticut Mosquito Management Program web site.