Washington Post Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, is a rare but serious disease that can cause brain inflammation. There is so far no vaccine against it for humans. One person has died and some communities are restricting activities as eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, circulates in the northeastern United States. The mosquito-borne disease is rare but serious, with about 30 percent of people who contract severe EEE dying and others developing neurological issues. Eastern equine encephalitis is spread by bites from infected mosquitoes. The disease can cause brain inflammation and may impair a person’s neurological and nerve functions.
A few cases are reported in the United States each year, usually in eastern or Gulf Coast states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. EEE is most common from late spring through early fall and near bodies of water.
Eastern equine encephalitis got its name because it was first detected in horses.