Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) started with the isolation of the causative agent (an alphavirus) from infected horse brains in 1933. The first confirmed human cases appeared in 1938, when an outbreak of encephalitis killed 30 children in the Northeastern United States, coinciding with outbreaks in horses within the same regions.
Here's a breakdown:
- 1933: The EEE virus was first identified and isolated from infected horses. This marked the initial recognition of the virus.
- 1938: The first documented human cases occurred in the northeastern United States, specifically among children. This confirmed that EEE could affect humans and demonstrated its potential severity.
- Link to Horses: The human cases coincided with equine outbreaks, suggesting a connection and implying a possible transmission pathway from horses to humans (though mosquitoes are the actual vectors).
The initial discovery and subsequent human cases established the presence and impact of EEE. The disease has since been identified in other regions and continues to be a public health concern.
