Triple E Draft 2

The cause of Triple E comes down to the movement of mosquitos. The female mosquito is the one that becomes infected and carries the virus. Birds tend to inhabit their environments of marshlands and swampy areas. Birds carry this virus but do not have any symptoms when they are infected. Mosquitos bite them then can pass the virus to mammals such as horses or humans. The virus was first identified in a horse in 1933. When the virus is in the bloodstream, it duplicates and can sometimes enter the brain barrier where it causes encephalitis. It cannot pass from person to person or animal to person. The group that is most at risk are people older than 50 and younger than 15; or those with weaker immune systems. 

“Eastern Equine Encephalitis: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention.” LiveScience, Purch, www.livescience.com/eastern-equine-encephalitis.html.