EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS (EEE) Copyright 2005 Gillian Martlew, ND (Updated July 2006)
added to the NHAND Articles & Essays archives on 13 Feb 2006
Although the media seems to have dropped the subject of EEE and West Nile Virus, New Englanders are still vulnerable to a potentially fatal viral infection called Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). This virus is transmitted to certain animals, and to humans, by infected mosquitoes. The dangers of West Nile Virus are overshadowed by EEE. If infected by the virus, the risk of death or permanent neurological damage is currently stated to be 35-50%.
It is vital to be fully informed about the details and precautions pertaining to EEE because they could literally help to save yours, or a family member’s life. You can find data sheets on EEE the NH Department of Health and Human Services website. Please download and print them:
www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/CDCS/West+Nile+Virus/default.htm
www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/CDCS/West+Nile+Virus/default.htm
IS THERE A NATURAL APPROACH TO PREVENTION?
Because there is currently no known cure for EEE, PREVENTION is our only protection. Besides the precautions detailed in the NH DHHS, and CDC’s EEE fact sheets, there are also some ‘holistic’ precautions you can incorporate into your lifestyle to reduce the risk of being infected by this potentially deadly virus.
Antibiotics do not have any effect on viral infections so it is important that your body's own defenses are functioning at their best. Persistent severe allergies (food and environmental), and frequent infections can be a sign that your immune system is out of balance. Naturopathic healthcare can be used help to restore healthier immune function—but do not try to treat yourself.
Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune function are most vulnerable to viral infections however, there are some simple changes to diet everyone can make that can help to improve immune function and protect against viral infection.
Medical research conducted in the late 1940s, when the Polio epidemic was at its height, showed a definite connection between malnutrition, low blood sugar, and susceptibility to contracting the polio virus. Excessive sugar and starch in the diet can cause blood sugar levels to fall below the normal 100-80mg range. Researchers found that blood sugar maintained at a healthy level enables cellular oxidation of glucose in the nervous system and organs to protect against invasion by the virus. The connection between low blood sugar and low immune resistance appears to be worth considering, especially while EEE is a threat.
Consuming coffee, donuts, bagels or toast and orange juice for breakfast can cause a raise, then drop in blood sugar, but a breakfast of whole grains, yogurt or eggs can maintain blood sugar at healthier levels. Snacks also impact blood sugar; nuts, seeds, fresh fruit or vegetables keep levels more stable, but eating candy bars and junk food can result in low blood sugar.
Removing sugar and empty starches from the diet can have a positive effect on immune health in other ways too. Just one teaspoon of sugar can compromise immune function for up to FIVE hours after ingestion.
I also recommend avoiding sugar substitutes like aspartame or Splenda, even though I have found no direct evidence that they can reduce immune function. Artificial sweeteners can cause numerous other problems in vulnerable children and adults.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Getting the right amount of sleep helps the body to stay strong and positively impacts the immune system. Deep sleep, in the dark, also produces healthy levels of melatonin a hormone that helps to protect against certain cancers.
Using Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) can reduce negative physical reactions to intense stress and negative emotions (which may lead to decreased immune function). I offer sessions of EFT, and teach this technique to many of my patients.
Garlic and B complex vitamins are often suggested as a way to discourage fleas from biting your pet, but there is absolutely no evidence that eating garlic or taking B vitamins will prevent mosquitoes from biting you. Mosquitoes are attracted to light, warmth, perspiration, body odor and carbon dioxide.
If you wish to avoid using DEET for protection, the DHHS information sheets state, "Repellents that contain Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective". Picaridin (Bayrepel) works by confusing an insect's olfactory receptors—so it can't 'find you' and bite you. It appears that this formula is not toxic to humans.
Another DEET alternative, deemed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be effective for repelling mosquitoes (although it has not been tested for its effectiveness to repel malaria-carrying mosquitoes) is oil of lemon eucalyptus. This is a plant-based mosquito repellent, but please note that it should not be used on children under the age of 3.
HOW CAN I REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MOSQUITOES NEAR MY HOME
The first consideration is to reduce the number places where mosquitoes can breed. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water that is still or stagnant (ie water in buckets, bird baths, rainwater trapped on tarpaulins, clogged rain gutters, tree holes, potholes, old tires, discarded cans and containers, outdoor flower pot saucers etc). It only takes about 3 days for the eggs hatch into larvae which then emerge and fly away 12 days later. Each female can lay up to 400 eggs—which become adult mosquitoes 12 days later, and then they produce eggs. It's easy to see how quickly the mosquito population expands, the math is dizzying.
Dragonflies, frogs, bats, swallows, flycatchers etc are all your allies, they eat bugs or their larvae.
If you have birdbaths, and other water-ornaments in your garden make sure that you change the water every 3 days. Water-gardens or ponds can be made safe with Mosquito Control Rings. These contain a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae for 30 days. You should also ensure that you remove all algae from ponds etc, because mosquito larvae feed on algae and other organisms in the water.
If you are unable to find a variety of mosquito repellents locally, you can find more information and products at:
http://www.gardeners.com
Keep mosquitoes out of your home! Screens and screen doors are the first defense, but bugs still get in when we walk through doors, or if screens are damaged. Check your screens, shut doors quickly, and after dark, minimize outdoor lighting which will attract bugs.
Get your neighbors in on the bug-defense-act! Did you know that an adult mosquito can fly about two miles from its breeding site (even further if blown by the wind)…
Investing in a MOSQUITO MAGNET will dramatically reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard. Attracting and killing female mosquitoes can prevent literally millions of mosquitoes from hatching. Although the Mosquito Magnet will not prevent mosquitoes from biting you, it will decrease the number of mosquitoes that could,/em> bite you, therefore reducing your risk. The Mosquito Magnet DOES WORK; I have one, and recommend it highly. Find out more at: http://www.mosquitomagnet.com. This website also includes a link to the Weather Channel's “mosquito activity forecast".
There is a great deal you can do to decrease yours, or your family's chance of being infected with EEE, and there are many factors that affect individual immune health. If you implement the suggestions in this article you will decrease the chance of falling victim to viral infections including EEE and West Nile Virus.
Stay safe and healthy. Happy Summer.
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