EEE spreads across the Northeast

EEE is a virus that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Although mosquitoes can pass on the virus to other animals, including humans, the virus cannot be spread between humans.

Most people who are infected with EEE either have no symptoms or have flu-like symptoms that resolve in a few weeks, but some people can experience severe neurological symptoms, such as inflammation or swelling of the brain.

According to CDC, around 30% of patients who develop neurological symptoms die from the disease. People who survive may also be left with severe long-term conditions, including paralysis, intellectual impairment, and personality disorders.

"When it does cause an infection, it is very, very severe -- although it's a very rare infection. We have no treatment for it," said Richard Ellison, an immunologist and infectious disease specialist at University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center. "Once someone gets it, it's just -- all we can do is provide supportive care, and it can kill people."

So far, CDC has reported human cases of EEE in Wisconsin, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. A patient in New Hampshire is currently hospitalized after testing positive for three mosquito-borne illnesses, including EEE. Another patient in New Hampshire also recently died from EEE, marking the first U.S. death from the virus this year.

Health officials have also cautioned people against West Nile virus, another mosquito-borne illness. As of Aug. 20, CDC has recorded 216 cases of West Nile virus in 33 states. Anthony Fauci, former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was also hospitalized for a week with the virus but is now recovering at home.

How to protect yourself against mosquito-borne illnesses

In Massachusetts, health officials in some counties have recommended an outdoor curfew from dusk to dawn, which the Massachusetts Department of Health (MDPH) said is "peak biting times for many mosquitoes." Plymouth has also closed all of its public parks and fields from dusk until dawn.

MDPH has also conducted aerial spraying, as well as truck-mounted spraying, of mosquitoes in areas of Plymouth County and Worcester County.

MDPH recommends residents in affected communities wear long clothes to cover their skin, use mosquito repellent, and consider rescheduling any outdoor activities that occur when mosquitoes are most active. Mosquito repellents should contain ingredients such as DEET or picaridin and be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"There are different strengths of DEET as well as Picaridin and people think the stronger the better," said Robyn Riseberg from Boston Community Pediatrics. "It's just that the stronger lasts longer." EPA also has an online tool that you can use to find the best and safest repellent products for your needs.

Another preventive measure is repairing any holes in screens or doors that could allow mosquitoes inside. People should also get rid of potential sources of mosquitoes, such as standing water. Cans, pots, lids, tires, birdbaths, and other containers that hold water should be emptied and washed at least once a week.

"A tarp on the ground is going to hold mosquito larvae. A lot of kids toys hold mosquito larvae," said Mark Negron from Safe Organic Yard. "It's really important to go through your yard and make sure you don't have these things holding standing water because that's going to create a problem for you."

According to Benjamin Chan, a New Hampshire state epidemiologist, the risk of EEE "will continue until the fall until there is a hard frost that kills the mosquitoes."

"Everybody should take steps to prevent mosquito bites when they are outdoors," Chan added. (Rosenbluth, New York Times, 8/28; Falconer, Axios, 8/25; Schneid, TIME, 8/25; Saric, Axios, 8/27; Associated Press/MedPage Today, 8/28; Wen, Washington Post, 9/4; McDonald, CBS News, 9/3)