Rare, Brain-Infecting Virus Being Spread by Florida Mosquitos . State officials have reported the return of the Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) in Florida. . According to a health advisory released on July 25, EEEV has been detected in a number of "sentinel chickens" that were purposely stationed in a high-risk area. Several sentinel chickens in the same flock have tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) infection...The risk of transmission to humans has increased, Florida Department of Health in Orange County, via statement. Humans that contract EEEV develop flu-like symptoms, with around 5% going on to experience deadly brain swelling and death in as little as two days. . The virus is spread by several species of mosquitoes, mainly those that live in swampy, warm areas. The saving grace of EEEV is that it does not replicate enough in the human body to keep the train of transmission going. . According to the CDC, an average of seven people are diagnosed with EEEV annually in the U.S. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available for those affected by EEEV.
