It is kind of weird. Up until a few weeks ago I would have thought of EEE as a shoe size and not a deadly equine virus. There has recently been an outbreak in the area where I live. I think around a dozen people have become ill, over two dozen animal cases confirmed (including several horses and deer along with two wolf pups at a zoo). At least three people have died. Our county was one of the first to be affected. One person that died lived just a couple of miles from my home. I did not know him, but knew of him. He was healthy until he was bitten by a mosquito.
Most everyone now stays inside from dusk till dawn. All outside school activities, including sporting events, start at 5 p.m. so they can conclude before the bugs come out. I was talking with a guy tonight that was lamenting the fact he hasn’t been able to BBQ because he doesn’t want to go out at night.
I have to admit it is kind of scary. However, it also makes me realize that we are lucky to live in a country where this kind of disease is the rare exception and not the rule. It is a reminder of what people in many third world countries are consistently battling against. This weekend they will be sending out airplanes to spray much of the affected area, but there will probably be a risk until the first freeze. Please keep the families of those who have been infected in your thoughts and prayers.
