Beaufort County has been informed by the South Carolina Department of Public Health that an individual in Beaufort County contracted Eastern Equine Encephalitis and died as a result of the virus. This is the first confirmed death caused by an infection with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus in more than 20 years in South Carolina.

EEE virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito and is not transmissible from person to person. Infection by the virus can cause a febrile illness without neurological symptoms or can cause neurological symptoms and disease due to inflammation and damage to the brain (encephalitis) or lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

Beaufort County Mosquito Control routinely tests mosquitos throughout the county, checking for the presence of mosquito-borne viruses that can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Beaufort County has been consistently conducting spray missions throughout the County via truck and aerial applications.

The county will continue to monitor the mosquito population with increased trapping in the area, laboratory analysis, and mosquito abatement missions based on that surveillance data. Additional treatment missions have been planned for the affected area.

Mosquitoes can develop in water that stands for more than five days. DPH recommends following the “7 Ts” to keep your home and yard mosquito-free:

• TIP over anything that can hold water, such as toys, plant saucers or vases. To disrupt mosquito breeding cycles, change water often, even daily, in items like dog bowls and bird baths.
• TOSS or recycle any unwanted yard items that may collect water, such as old tires, junk, or trash.
• TURN over items that can hold water like children’s pools, wheelbarrows, or buckets.
• TIGHTEN tarps over items like boats, wood piles, grills, and pools.
• TAKE CARE of your property. Clean out debris from ditches, drains, and gutters. Keep grass cut low and trim or remove overgrown plants.
• TREAT items that can’t be drained or emptied with appropriate mosquito control products.
• TEAM UP and talk with neighbors about reducing mosquitoes in and around your home and neighborhood.

DPH offers educational materials and tips for mosquito prevention, bite prevention and more via its website at dph.sc.gov/vbdoutreach.

More information about Beaufort County Mosquito Control can be found at https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/mosquito-control/.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Due to federal and state privacy restrictions, we are unable to provide additional information concerning any person, including details about physical condition, hospitalization, age, sex, and residence.