Health officials detect mosquito-borne virus that causes brain swelling in Florida

CNN – Florida health officials found an uptick in a mosquito-borne virus known as Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)

Several sentinel chickens tested positive for EEE.

The disease can spread to humans via infected mosquitoes and cause brain swelling, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County said.

Sentinel chickens are fowl that are tested regularly for the West Nile virus and EEE.

Their blood can show the presence of the diseases, but they don’t suffer from the effects of the viruses.

Only about seven cases of the EEE virus in humans are reported in the US each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

However, the disease can be fatal, with about 30 percent of people who contract it die, according to the CDC.

Many survivors have ongoing neurologic problems.

People develop symptoms about 4 to 10 days after an infected mosquito bites them, the CDC says. Signs include sudden onset of a headache, high fever, chills and vomiting.

More severe symptoms include disorientation, seizures and coma.

With summer in full swing, mosquitoes are buzzing around at peak populations.

Officials warn people to avoid being bitten by draining standing water around their homes, covering skin with clothing or repellant, and using screens to cover doors and windows.