I had to google EEE mosquito, so for the benefit of others who may not know (from the CDC):

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare illness in humans, and only a few cases are reported in the United States each year. Most cases occur in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states (see map). Most persons infected with EEEV have no apparent illness. Severe cases of EEE (involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain) begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, or coma. EEE is one of the most severe mosquito-transmitted diseases in the United States with approximately 33% mortality and significant brain damage in most survivors. There is no specific treatment for EEE; care is based on symptoms. You can reduce your risk of being infected with EEEV by using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and staying indoors while mosquitoes are most active. If you think you or a family member may have EEE, it is important to consult your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis.

I too would skip the 7PM walk. You might want to ask the school what they are doing about mosquito control in the cheerleading practice area. Mosquitos stick around the area they are born in. If there isn't standing water around the school or if they have sprayed the area, you might feel better about it.

H1N1 didn't concern me.

I'm in Minnesota - lots of mosquitoes here. I just can't live my life in fear of everything I might catch or what might go wrong. Walking is good for my health - there's no way I'd give it up and I can't walk during the day because I'm at work. Plus mosquitoes are around here 24/7. I use mosquito repellent - it works well. I don't worry about the chemicals. I have to live life and enjoy it and I don't enjoy worrying about every disease I might get or every chemical and what it might do to me. I do however try to stay out of the woods and such during deer tick season - as there are a lot of deer ticks and I know quite a few people who have had lyme disease, babesiosis, etc.

That's just me and my philosophy for living. Everyone has to make the choices they are most comfortable with.

You might try one those little plastic gizmos you snap on to your belt to ward off mosquitoes instead of chemical sprays. I wouldn't go for a walk at 7 pm either! Dusk and dawn are supposed to be feeding time for the little suckers.

West Nile illness and deaths hereabouts -- and spraying (both aerial and ground) is happening all over the cities this week ...

I guess I would like to be like gibby3000 but this irrational fear is affecting my life. Every bite the kids get (and there are mosquitoes in the house unknown sometimes) causes paralyzing fear in me. Last night I was sick to my stomach and COULD NOT sleep due to the news that EEE was found in my town's mosquitoes. It only takes one bite and 50% of the peopke DIE according to one statistic. Another 30% have long lasting neurological damage.. I wish I could stop thinking about it...

I admire Gibby's attitude too, Auntie Ellen. I'm somewhere in between you and her! I'd definitely use precautions, use what's available at the store, kill every mosquito I see, etc, then let it go. You're doing all you can do. Think positively and tell yourself, "I've done all I can do to ward off these pests & protect my family."

Mother nature is tough to control! Control it to the extent you can, then take a leap of faith!

Teacats, the West Nile "scare" is definitely upon us. Just a couple of blocks away from where I live, there has been a confirmed case in my neighborhood. :-/

We've been pretty fortunate here in VA. Only two confirmed cases of West Nile, and both individuals are fine, thank goodness. The warm weather is still upon us however, so we're not out of the woods yet.

Most people do ok with West Nile from what I understand, but sadly there have been deaths reported as a result of it too. The illness Auntie Ellen is speaking of sounds different and perhaps even more serious.

Standing water is a big culprit. For those of us with birdbaths, there are little pellets you can drop in the water to keep mosquitos away. The water is still safe for birds, etc.

I am not trying to minimize the risk, auntie ellen, but I think you may want to get help for yourself. Your children need a mother who can deal with the realities of life. Life is terrifyingly full of risk and danger, all mothers worry needlessly about their kids, but most manage to let our kids play outside and still sleep at night, instead of monitoring for mosquitoes all night long.

You need to find a way to get a realistic attitude, or how will you even feed your family, what with all the risks in food and food preparation? To me, your fears seem irrational. I hope I am misreading your posts. Yes, of course I think everyone should take reasonable precautions, but you cannot seal yourself and your family off from all possibilities of harm.

Sleep is restorative. I hope you sleep well tonight.

With the death rate being so low, I would try not to worry too much but use DEET when outside.

Still many more people die in car accidents.

below is a statistic I found (really not THAT many people dying from EEE when you think of the number of people in the US who do get bitten by mosquitos).
� How common are human cases of EEE in the United States?
In the United States between 1964-2004,�220 human EEE cases were reported to CDC.� The national average is five cases per year.
�

Here is a link that might be useful: CT mosquito/EEE info

I thought of you when I read this in today's paper.

Here is a link that might be useful: Doctor K

My Dad had EEE , they lived in FL on the water at the time. This was in the late 80's. He was in the hospital and nearly died. At first it was thought he had a stroke but with the symptoms progressing it was determined that he did have EEE. He did survive and w/o any lasting problems but it was a terrible time.

My DIL and DS1 are in Lexington VA and there is a homeopath there that they go to. She has made up insect repellant for them to use on themselves and their 9 month old, my grandson. It works great !! And it is all natural herbs. Please do get something other than DEET. I use it but I am 61...I would not soak my kids in that product. I have not tried the clip on item but have been told it works. Please do look into the herbal spray/ointment if you have a homeopath in your town. c

Thanks everyone. Tried natural repellants but they do not work on my kids. Like I said - I do not tend to get bitten. If we are all together they get 10 bites and I get none. This EEE is scary stuff - I know it's rare but it's also less rare if you just don't get bit. My kids do get bit...

Do your kids have O negative blood? I hear that's mosquitoes favorite type.

Ellen I understand your fear but it's waaaaay out of proportion to the actual facts. There have been 42 deaths in the U.S. this year and that with a population of 342 million people so it's safe to say your changes of it are right up there with winning the lottery. Take a deep breath and relax, there's been one man sick but he didn't die in Ma. I live in Ma. too and also in Maine. Lots of mosquitoes but I use the spray and have no bites. I'm more concerned about the deer ticks. Husband has had 4 positives on him.

That has been one benefit of our move from the northeast to Los Angeles ... no mosquitoes and very very few cases of lyme disease.

auntie ellen,
Of course you are concerned about your family. But the question you posed is are you behaving irrationally? I am not picking on you, but giving an answer to your question. I hope this is helpful to you.

To answer your question, I would say that you are.

I say this because it seems to me that you are trying to control something that you truly cannot control. And that you feel it is your mandate to try and control something that you cannot control.

Odds are low, you are aware of symptoms, have available medical care (ie you are not in a third world country or in the secluded outback).

Taking reasonable precautions, like wearing repellent, makes sense. Just as you wouldn't stand under a tree in a lightening storm.

But disengaging from life is out of proportion to the risk, and sends the message to your children that life is too scary to boldly lived.

How you respond to this is up to you. If you can't just let it go ,then you may need to seek out some help.

Right now I look like I have chicken pox on one ankle, I have so many bites. I try to remember to spritz my ankles before I go out, but I often forget. West Nile has been in the news here a lot lately and my township has started spraying for mosquitoes. We have been cautioned to remove standing water where the bugs breed. I never keep water in the bird bath (which the birds don't use any way). I also empty water from any saucers under the potted plants. However, there may be water in the gutters, although I know mine are clear. Another spot is in the L shaped spout from the gutters. Evidently water collects in there.

I am much more concerned about Lyme disease. I have never known anyone to get West Nile virus, but I have a number of friends who have had Lyme Disease, and that is pretty awful if not caught early.

Does anyone remember standing in the spray of the mosquito trucks as a kid? We did and I am pretty sure the spray had DDT in it.

Does anyone remember standing in the spray of the mosquito trucks as a kid? We did and I am pretty sure the spray had DDT in it.

Good heavens ... I was just discussing this with an older friend last night. We used to chase after the mosquito truck! It's a wonder we aren't all fried. (Well, then again - maybe we are.)

I change the water every day in all our bird baths and the dish for neighbors' dogs that I have near the sidewalk. Our birds do use the bird baths, so I would rather clean them daily than go without.

Ded, I also have horrid bites on my ankles! I am now back to long sleeves, long pants, and socks when I garden-ugh. My newest bite is on my forehead. Guess they had to find whatever they could.

Yes, remember the DDT trucks at the shore. Wonder if anyone will do a study on the long-term effects of breathing in those clouds of chemicals. So far, so good, though.

Auntie Ellen, I agree that life is fraught with dangers, but I do think you are over-reacting here. Protect the kids with repellent when they are outside just as you do with sunscreen. Children already spend too little time outside and being free to run around and play is a treasure.

What is so ironic is that my little nephew got it just 2 months ago. He's only 7 years old, it made the news here in Ma. He was pretty sick but is doing well, the recovery takes a long time. He's able to go to school now but tires very easily.

My thoughts and prayers are with your nephew! Hope he makes a full recovery.

Thank you!

For those with bites on their ankles, it's probably Chiggers. They itch like a son of a gun, but are not a large 'bump' like a Mosquito bite.

I've been out at dusk, watering with the hope of keep my trees alive in the drought of the TX heat. Even with long sleeves/pants, i've still been bitten. Since spraying my shoes(not drenched!)that seems to have kept ALL bugs away.

Somehow missed this post from August. How I hate mosquitos and they have always loved me! I'm always the first to get bitten and often when no one else is even noticing them around.

Our area sprays for mosquitos - not sure with what, but a dead mosquito is a good one. We had a bat living in our basement and while I wasn't thrilled with that situation, I did appreciate his nightly mosquito eating!

Ironically, I do have 0 negative blood so was interested in your post Sue. Never heard that before!

I have Neg O blood type, and i'm not usually affected by mosquitos. Maybe it's my tough old skin. ;o)