The City of Ottawa has reported its first human case of the mosquito-borne virus, eastern equine encephalitis (EEEV).
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) says a resident who died of viral encephalitis in August has tested positive for the eastern equine encephalitis virus.
The health unit says that, like West Nile virus, EEEV “is usually transmitted between wild birds and mosquitoes, but can sometimes spread to horses and, rarely, to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.”
“Humans are not infected with EEEV from horses or other humans.”
There is no human vaccine against EEEV.
In August, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-Food said EEEV had been confirmed in a horse in the Ottawa area.
“A 15-year-old stallion was suffering from ataxia when he was taken out of the paddock, was lethargic and had his head hanging in a corner of the stable. He was awake all night and had nystagmus in the morning,” the ministry said.
The horse was euthanized. Authorities said the horse was not vaccinated against EEEV.
Symptoms of EEEV in humans include fever, headache, respiratory symptoms, and vomiting.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said that as of September 12, this is the only confirmed positive human case of EEEV disease during the 2024 mosquito season (May to October) in Canada.
“The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of a recently confirmed human case and subsequent death associated with Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) in Ontario, as reported by Ottawa Public Health. “Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
“Based on available data in Canada, locally acquired EEEV cases in humans are rare. Prior to this case, there had been three locally acquired human cases of EEEV confirmed in Canada by PHAC’s National Microbiology Laboratory since 2016, with the last case identified in 2022.”
Eight cases of EEEV in horses have been reported across Canada.
Ottawa Public Health is urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis virus. Here are some tips to protect yourself:
- Use a Health Canada-approved insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin on exposed skin and clothing (avoid using DEET on synthetic fabrics)
- Protect yourself when mosquitoes are active, especially between dusk and dawn and whenever you are near a shady hedge or area of bush or forest.
- Wear loose, light-colored, tightly woven clothing, such as pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes, and socks, to protect exposed skin
- Make sure all windows and doors in your home have mosquito screens that are in good condition.
The health unit reported two human cases of West Nile virus this summer.
In July, a horse tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis virus in Lanark County.
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