美国特拉华州发现可能致命的蚊媒EEE病毒

美国特拉华州发现可能致命的蚊媒EEE病毒

A potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus has been detected in Delaware, state officials said.

美国特拉华州相关人员表示，该州已发现一种可能致命的蚊媒病毒。

State officials on Friday announced they have detected Eastern Equine Encephalitis, more commonly known as EEE, in the sentinel chickens located in southwestern New Castle County, east-central Kent County, and southeastern Sussex County.

该州相关人员周五宣布，他们在位于纽卡斯尔郡西南部、肯特郡中东部和苏塞克斯郡东南部的哨鸡中发现了东部马脑炎，通常被称为EEE。

Sentinel chickens are placed in areas with mosquito problems so their blood can be drawn regularly to check for bug-borne viruses.

哨鸡被放置在有蚊子问题的地方，这样就可以定期抽取它们的血液来检查虫媒病毒。

“No human or equine cases of EEE or [West Nile virus] have been reported to date this year in Delaware,” state officials added.

特拉华州相关人员补充说:“今年迄今为止，还没有人或马感染EEE或(西尼罗河病毒)的病例报告。”

EEE, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a rare disease that’s spread by infected mosquitoes. EEE “is one of a group of mosquito-transmitted viruses that can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis),” the federal health agency says.

根据美国疾病控制与预防中心(CDC)的说法，EEE是一种由受感染的蚊子传播的罕见疾病。EEE是一种通过蚊子传播的病毒，可以引起大脑炎症(脑炎)。

EEE is more common in Atlantic and Gulf Coast states, though the CDC said some cases have been reported in the Great Lakes area. It’s rare; only 5 to 10 cases are reported each year in the US.

EEE在大西洋沿岸和墨西哥湾沿岸各州更为常见，不过美国疾病控制与预防中心说，在五大湖地区也报告了一些病例。这是罕见的;美国每年只报告5到10例。

Symptoms of EEE typically appear four to 10 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Severe cases of the virus “begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting,” per the CDC, which noted, “the illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, and coma.”

EEE的症状通常出现在被受感染的蚊子叮咬后4到10天。疾病控制与预防中心指出，这种病毒的严重病例“始于突然出现的头痛、高烧、发冷和呕吐”，“然后病情可能发展为定向障碍、癫痫和昏迷。”

One-third of those infected with EEE die, while survivors typically have “mild to severe brain damage.”

三分之一的EEE感染者死亡，而幸存者通常有“轻微到严重的脑损伤”。

There’s no specific treatment for the infection, either.

对于这种感染也没有特定的治疗方法。

“Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, and no effective antiviral drugs have been discovered. Severe illnesses are treated by supportive therapy which may include hospitalization, respiratory support, IV fluids, and prevention of other infections,” the CDC says.

“抗生素对病毒无效，目前还没有发现有效的抗病毒药物。严重疾病可以通过支持性治疗来治疗，包括住院治疗、呼吸支持、静脉输液和预防其他感染。”

The best way to prevent EEE and other mosquito-borne ailments is by draining standing water — like in birdbaths, buckets or on pool covers — as stagnant water can serve as a breeding ground for these insects. Other preventative measures include covering skin with long-sleeved pants and shirts while outside, and “properly using insect repellent containing DEET or another EPA-recognized ingredient whenever outdoors,” Delaware officials added.

预防EEE和其他由蚊子传播的疾病的最好方法是排干死水——比如在鸟笼、水桶或游泳池盖上——因为死水可以成为这些昆虫的滋生地。特拉华州相关人员补充说，其他预防措施包括在室外穿长袖裤子和衬衫，以及“在户外适当使用含有避蚊胺或其他epa认可成分的驱蚊剂”。

Separately, Florida health officials announced in late July that several sentinel chickens in the state tested positive for EEE.

另外，佛罗里达州卫生官员在7月底宣布，该州有几只哨鸡的EEE检测呈阳性。