Western Equine Encephalitis
(WEE)
Definition
Western equine encephalitis (WEE) is a virus spread by a bite from an infected mosquito. While WEE is rare, an infected person can become seriously ill and even die from the virus.
Causes
WEE is caused by being bitten by a mosquito that is infected with the virus.
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your risk of WEE include:
- Living in or visiting the plains regions of western and central United States
- Doing activities outdoors and not using insect repellent
Symptoms
Most people with WEE do not have any symptoms.
If symptoms do occur, they appear within 5-10 days after infection and include:
- Headache
- Fever
- Neck stiffness
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Joint and muscle pain
- Vomiting
WEE can lead to more serious, life-threatening symptoms like inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), seizures, and
coma
. These serious symptoms are more common in infants and older adults.
Diagnosis
In addition to taking your medical history and doing a physical exam, your doctor will ask you:
- What kind of symptoms you are experiencing
- Where you have been living or traveling
- Whether you have been exposed to mosquitoes
Your doctor may need to test your bodily fluids. This can be done with:
Your doctor may need pictures of structures inside your head. This can be done with:
Treatment
Because the infection is viral, there is no specific treatment for WEE. Treatment will focus on managing your symptoms and related complications through:
- IV fluids
- Medicine to control seizures
- Medicine to decrease brain swelling
-
Mechanical ventilation
(breathing support)
Prevention
There is no vaccine for humans. There is a vaccine for horses. Prevention of WEE focuses on controlling mosquitoes and avoiding mosquito bites. Steps you can take to avoid mosquito bites include:
- Stay inside between dusk and dark, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outside.
- Use an insect repellent with DEET.
- Repair screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.
- Remove standing water (eg, bird baths, clogged gutters) to prevent mosquito breeding.
RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
http://www.niaid.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Healthy U
http://www.healthyalberta.com/
References
About Western equine encephalitis. Minnesota Department of Public Health website. Available at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/weencephalitis/basics.html
. Accessed January 4, 2013.
Eastern equine encephalitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/
. Updated July 13, 2012. Accessed January 4, 2013.
Fact sheet: Western equine encephalitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/weefact.htm
. Updated November 7, 2005. Accessed January 4, 2013.
Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet. National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis%5Fmeningitis/detail%5Fencephalitis%5Fmeningitis.htm
. Updated February 16, 2011. Accessed January 4, 2013.
Reimann CA, Hayes EB, DiGuiseppi C, et al. Epidemiology of neuroinvasive arboviral disease in the United States, 1999-2007.
Am J Trop Med Hyg.
2008;79(6):974-979.
Western equine encephalitis fact sheet. Minnesota Department of Public Health website. Available at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/weencephalitis/wee.html
. Accessed January 4, 2013.