BURLINGTON — Vermont health officials have confirmed the state’s first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) since 2012.
The patient, a man in his 40s from Chittenden County, was hospitalized on July 16 but was discharged a week later.
The case was confirmed through laboratory testing coordinated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with results confirmed on Aug. 8.
Additionally, mosquitoes collected in Colchester and Alburgh tested positive for the EEE virus on Aug. 8, following earlier detections in Alburgh and Swanton on July 22.
Health officials are urging residents in Chittenden, Grand Isle, and Franklin counties to take extra precautions against mosquito bites as the state increases mosquito testing and evaluates further protective measures, including possible pesticide spraying.
EEE is a rare but serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. While many infected individuals experience mild symptoms, severe cases can lead to encephalitis and are fatal in about one-third of those affected.
The Health Department is advising residents to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed.
