Posted September 26, 2019

Washington, DC – The Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE) urges consumers to use insect repellent to protect against mosquito-borne diseases. This is especially important since reports of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a mosquito-borne virus that causes brain infection and swelling, have drastically increased this year.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are, on average, seven cases of EEE reported in the U.S. each year. However, in 2019, there have been 27 cases of the rare virus in six states, including 10 deaths. Symptoms of EEE include headaches, fever, chills and vomiting.

“Mosquito-borne diseases significantly increase during the summer months,” said Beth Ludwick, Executive Director of ACE. “People are most familiar with malaria, Zika and West Nile virus, but EEE – although less common – can be fatal. In fact, the CDC reports that 30 percent of people diagnosed with the virus die and survivors typically experience neurological problems.”

There are a number of ways to protect against mosquito-borne diseases. First and foremost is to use an insect repellant. Also, wearing long sleeves and pants in areas that have a high mosquito population, avoiding stagnant water and making sure to close all windows and doors will help prevent exposure to mosquitoes.

“The best way to reduce the risk of EEE is by preventing the bite,” said Ludwick. “The CDC recommends using an insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin or IR3535. These ingredients have low safety concerns and offer a high level of protection.”

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The Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 2000. ACE works to educate consumers about the correct use, storage and disposal of household and commercial products. ACE’s core program areas are Consumer Care, Health & Wellbeing and Inhalant Abuse Prevention. ACE is affiliated with the Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA).