Rare Insect-Borne Illness on the Rise

Eight deaths linked to encephalitis spread by mosquitoes

September 25, 2019

Workers whose jobs take them outdoors frequently, as well as facility managers responsible for insect control and pesticide spraying, will want to take note of a rare mosquito-borne illness that has led to the death of eight people in the United States.

The eight are among 10 people confirmed to have contracted equine encephalitis, CNN reports. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) typically receives reports of five to 10 human cases of the disease each year, with about 30% of cases resulting in death. This year, the deaths occurred in eastern and midwestern states, with three victims in Massachusetts, three in Michigan, one in Connecticut, and one in Rhode Island.

Symptoms of the illness include a high fever, chills, and nausea. Severe cases can cause brain swelling that results in seizures or a coma that can lead to brain damage.

Mosquitoes are among the pests facility managers battle. Eliminating sources of standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs can cut down on their population near your facility. Learn how technology is bringing about new methods of insect control, such as pest databases, insect growth regulators, and genetic modification.

 

Latest Articles

Ace School Floor Care
June 30, 2025 Shaun Tinholt

Ace School Floor Care

June 30, 2025 Emily Newton

Future-Proof Your Facility with Proactive Ergonomics

June 27, 2025 Jeff Cross

Janitorial Prospecting in the Wild

Sponsored Articles

Spartan
June 26, 2025 Sponsored by Spartan Chemical

Advocacy with a Purpose: People, Product, and Proper Training

June 23, 2025 Sponsored by Tennant

Where AI Meets Clean: Join the X6 ROVR™ Floor Cleaning Revolution

June 17, 2025 Sponsored by Sani Professional

Food Safety Made Simple: A Must-Have for Chefs, Grill Masters, and More!

Recent News

Flu vaccine

AMA, 79 Medical Societies Back Vaccination

Countries Agree to Increase Climate Budget

New Initiatives Support Healthy, Sustainable U.S. Schools