September 12, 2019

Rare Virus Detected In Northern Indiana

Article origination IPBS-RJC
A rare mosquito-borne virus has been detected in northern Indiana. - Pixabay

A rare mosquito-borne virus has been detected in northern Indiana.

Pixabay

A rare mosquito-borne virus has been detected in northern Indiana.

The Eastern equine encephalitis virus, EEE, was found in three horses and a group of mosquitoes in Elkhart County. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, EEE infections can either result in systemic or encephalitic – with brain swelling – illnesses. One-third of all people with the infection die from it.

No human cases have been reported in Indiana. One person in Michigan has died from the virus this year.

State health officials urge use of insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors to prevent mosquito bites. 

Contact Jill at jsheridan@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @JillASheridan.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

After years of abuse allegations, Options Behavioral Health is shutting down
Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis to receive facility improvements
Columbus Regional Health didn’t know about billboard blaming Trump for hospital’s cost cuts