Safety update: Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Dear UVM community,

The Vermont Department of Health has issued an alert regarding Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) for Burlington and Colchester and has published guidance available.

In response to this alert, the university is moving some activities occurring within these alert areas indoors and recommends that anyone involved in outdoor activities anywhere in our area follow Department of Health guidance, including wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts and using approved bug repellent.

For up to date information on EEE in Vermont, please visit this Vermont Department of Health webpage.

For questions regarding health and wellbeing or EEE, please contact the Center for Health and Wellbeing at health@uvm.edu—we are here to support you. We hope you are having a wonderful start to the semester.

Blake M. Reilly
Executive Director, Center for Health and Wellbeing

Eastern Equine Encephalitis FAQ

What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)?

EEE is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that's spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. It can cause brain inflammation, also known as encephalitis. It cannot be spread person-to-person.

What are the symptoms of EEE? 

  • Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness. Symptoms usually appear 4–10 days after a bite. 
  • If you have symptoms of concern, please call Student Health services at 802-656-3350.  For any significant neurologic symptoms (seizures, confusion, behavior changes, stiff neck with fever) please seek care through UVM Medical Center Emergency Room.

I have many current mosquito bites. Should I be worried about EEE?

  • Not all mosquitoes carry the EEE virus.  It remains relatively rare (on average, 11 people die each year in the entire U.S. from EEE).  Among people who are infected with EEE, many will never develop symptoms.  You should monitor for symptoms over the next few weeks (see above) and reach out if symptoms should develop.

Is there a vaccine available for EEE?

  • At this time, there is no vaccine for EEE, nor medication to treat it. There are medications that can help ease symptoms.

How can I protect myself from getting EEE?

  • Make sure any window screens are well-fitting and without holes/tears.
  • Limit outdoor activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
    • Mosquitoes will not be active after the first hard frost so limiting outdoor activity will no longer be needed. A hard frost usually occurs when the air temperature is 28 degrees Fahrenheit or below. 
  • When outdoors, wear socks, long pants and loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts.
  • Use appropriate EPA-approved bug-repellent. Use this link to look up EPA approved insect repellent options.
  • Wear clothing/use equipment that has been treated with permethrin

What is the correct insect repellent and will UVM be providing it?

Use this link to look up EPA approved bug repellent options and choose what is best for you. UVM will not be providing insect repellent although event hosts may be purchasing it for their events. Please check with your event organizer to determine if there will be repellent at the event.

What should varsity sports and club sports do differently? What about outdoor activities-oriented clubs? What about events or outdoor credit-bearing activities?

All outdoor activities that can be moved to between 6 am and 6 pm should do so. Also, activity organizers should move events away from water sources such as marshes, swamps, ponds, or large water collection areas if possible.

If an activity cannot be moved to daytime hours, we advise that event organizers (activities, varsity sports, club sports, or other events) inform all participants of the current Vermont Department of Health guidance related to EEE and how to prevent mosquito bites.

Where can I go for further information?