A rare but deadly brain infection is gaining ground in North America as climate change alters mosquito habitats
https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/rare-deadly-brain-infection-gaining-ground-north-america
A rare but deadly brain infection is gaining ground in North America as climate change alters mosquito habitats
https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/rare-deadly-brain-infection-gaining-ground-north-america
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> It begins with a fever that escalates to confusion, drowsiness and seizures, before slipping its victims into a coma that one third will never wake from. For survivors, **permanent brain damage** is often the cost.
> Though mercifully rare, eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), also known as Triple E or sleeping sickness, is appearing in an increasing number of US states, with researchers warning that climate change may be fueling its spread. **With no approved treatments or human vaccines available**, surveillance among mosquitoes and animals is becoming increasingly important, along with measures to control mosquito populations and avoid bites in affected areas.
> EEE virus is primarily transmitted by Culiseta melanura (black-tailed) mosquitoes that traditionally live in freshwater swamp forests in the Atlantic, Gulf Coast and Great Lakes regions of North America. If people do develop symptoms, the consequences can be extremely serious, as the virus can breach the protective barriers of the nervous system and trigger a type of brain swelling called encephalitis.
> “Among all EEE virus disease cases reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2005 to 2024, 99% were neuroinvasive and **41% of these patients died**,” Staples and Gould said. For those who survive, more than half experience ongoing neurological problems, such as **personality changes, difficulty speaking or understanding words, or paralysis**, they added.
> While the reason for this recent increase in cases is uncertain, some researchers believe changing temperatures and rainfall patterns could be expanding the range of those mosquito species that transmit the virus to humans.
> EEE isn’t the only mosquito-borne disease that could become more commonplace in North America because of climate change. The mosquitoes that spread malaria and dengue are expanding their geographic range, which could explain recent clusters of locally acquired malaria in **Florida, Texas, Arkansas and Maryland, and dengue in California.** Cases of West Nile Virus, which is also transmitted by infected mosquitoes, are also increasing in US cities, as well as in northern parts of Europe.
As the years go on, you’re going to see more and more of these deadly, terrifying viruses become the norm. All at once both the mechanisms by which we control and prevent disease are being dismantled, and it’s only going to get worse as the climate continues to warm and these agencies fully crumble.
Somehow after Covid we got WORSE at dealing with pandemics instead of better – which you’d assume would happen, because the Republicans intentionally spread conspiracism and distrust of the institutions that keep us safe and healthy. Bit by bit, the safety you took for granted all your life will disappear, and the majority of dumbfuck median voters won’t even notice or understand why.
Bingo. I got a full bingo card on stuff i wasnt expecting
Fuckin sick.
Can’t wait to get this while I don’t have healthcare.
I recall reading something once about some people working on a way to make it so that mosquitoes couldn’t penetrate human skin… And I hope that was real and still happening.
What!? MAGA is spread by mosquitoes!? Tee hee
But seriously, 3E is nature’s harsh reminder that we’re still playing catch-up on climate-linked diseases. No cure, no vaccine…no healthcare…just hope the mosquito doesn’t pick you!