Eastern Equine Encephalitis Agent Information Sheet
Boston University
Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP)
617-358-7647
Agent
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEEV) is an alphavirus in the family Togaviridae. They are small, enveloped virus with a genome consisting of a single strand of positive sense RNA.
Disease/Infection
Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus
Pathogenicity
Alphaviruses may be present in blood, CSF, other tissues (e.g., brain), or throat washings. The primary laboratory hazards are parenteral inoculation, contact of the virus with broken skin or mucous membranes, bites of infected animals or arthropods, or aerosol inhalation.
Biosafety Information
Risk Group/BSL
Risk Group 3
Biosafety Level 3 practices
This is a select agent according to CDC.
Modes of Transmission
EEEV is transmitted by mosquito bites.
In lab, aerosol, parenteral inoculation, contact of the virus with broken skin or mucous membranes, bites of infected animals or arthropods.
| Transmission | |
| Skin Exposure (Needlestick, animal bite, or scratch): | Yes |
| Mucous Membrane Exposure Splash to Eye(s), Nose or Mouth: | Yes |
| Inhalation: | Yes |
| Ingestion: | No |
Host Range/Reservoir
Humans, reptiles, bats, pheasants, wild birds, mosquitoes, horses, dogs, and rodents. Wild birds are main reservoir.
Symptoms
Capable of causing lethal encephalitis. Most infections are either mild, flu-like illness (fever, headache, dehydration) or asymptomatic. May also develop gastrointestinal (loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and respiratory (coughing, sneezing) symptoms. Duration of acute illness is typically days to weeks depending upon severity of the illness. Mortality is up to 50%.
Incubation Period
Incubation period ranges from 4 to 10 days
Viability
Disinfection with 50% ethanol for 60 minutes, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, or quaternary ammonium compounds. Microbial inactivation is possible using moist and dry heat.
Survival Outside Host
Unknown
Information for Lab Workers
Laboratory PPE
PPE includes lab coat/goal, gloves, safety shields and PAPR or N-95 respirator.
Containment
BSL-3 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials, animals, or cultures. Practices may be enhanced based on assessment.
Lab Exposures
Four laboratory cases of EEEV have been reported.
In Case of Exposure/Disease
- For injuries in the lab which are major medical emergencies (heart attacks, seizures, etc…):
- Medical Campus: call or have a coworker call the Control Center at 617-358–9090.
- Charles River Campus: call or have a coworker call campus security at 617-353-2121.
You will be referred to or transported to the appropriate health care location by the emergency response team.
- For lab exposures (needle sticks, bite, cut, scratch, splash, etc…) involving animals or infectious agents, or for unexplained symptoms or illness call the ROHP 24/7-hour number (1-617-358-ROHP (7647); or, 8-ROHP (7647) if calling from an on-campus location) to be connected with the BU Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP) medical officer. ROHP will refer you to the appropriate health care location.
- Under any of these scenarios, always inform the physician of your work in the laboratory and the agent(s) that you work with.
- Provide the wallet-size agent ID card to the physician.
Vaccination
Currently, no vaccine is available.
Information for First Responders/Medical Personnel
Public Health Issues
Person-to-person transmission has not been reported for EEEV or WEEV viruses. Direct bird-to-human infection can occur although humans and horses are not amplifying hosts as virus titers in their bodies are insufficient to infect mosquitoes.
Diagnosis/Surveillance
Monitor for symptoms. EEEV infection can be diagnosed using isolation of antigen, virus, or genetic sequences (PCR) in tissue, blood, or CSF or serological assays such as ELISA to detect IgM antibodies in serum and CSF. RT-PCR can be used to detect EEEV in clinical specimens.
First Aid/Post Exposure Prophylaxis
No post exposure prophylaxis available.
For mucous membranes, flush eyes, mouth, or nose for 15 minutes.
For other exposures, wash with soap and water for 15 minutes or a minimum of 20 seconds for areas with intact skin.
Perform one of the following actions:
| Skin Exposure (Needlestick or scratch): | Immediately go to the sink and thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. Decontaminate any exposed skin surfaces with an antiseptic scrub solution. |
| Mucous Membrane Splash to Eye(s), Nose or Mouth: | Exposure should be irrigated vigorously for 15 minutes |
| Splash Affecting Garments: | Remove garments that may have become soiled or contaminated and place them in a double red plastic bag. |
Treatment
Currently no treatment is available for EEEV infection. Symptomatic treatment is given to maintain vital functions of the body.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. 6th ed., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020. Sec 8F: Arboviruses and related zoonotic viruses, page 302 https://www.cdc.gov/labs/pdf/SF__19_308133-A_BMBL6_00-BOOK-WEB-final-3.pdf.
Cornell University Environmental Health and Safety. Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus. Cornell University, https://ehs.cornell.edu/research-safety/biosafety-biosecurity/biological-safety-manuals-and-other-documents/bars-other/eastern-equine-encephalitis-virus.
Government of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada. Eastern Equine Encephalitis. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/laboratory-biosafety-biosecurity/pathogen-safety-data-sheets-risk-assessment/eastern-equine-encephalitis.htmlPublic Health Agency of Canada – http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/msds68e-eng.php
10/4/24