The Moms Against EEE would like to thank and recognize Kimberly King and her Company, Vector Borne Disease Corporation for their significant contributions to our efforts by providing invaluable information, contacts and other resources to Moms Against EEE.

We would like to dedicate this page in the memory of Kimberly's daughter, Adreanna Wing and in honor of Kimberly King and her daughter, Adreanna's sister, Ashley.

Our heartfelt gratitude and prayers are with you. We are saddened and touched by the senseless loss of your beautiful daughter, Adreanna, and we are in admiration of your tireless efforts to educate, inform and bring forth meaningul change both within your home State of Massachusetts and by providing us with support here in New Hampshire.

-Moms Against EEE

Click Here to see Kimberly's MA Dept of Health Public Service Announcement

This is Adreanna's Story as told by her mother, Kimberly, through her testimony to the Chairman of the Massachusetts State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board

"Dear Mr Buffone (Chairman),

I want to thank you and your colleagues on the SRMCB for this opportunity for families to remind State officials of the devastating impact of mosquito-transmitted infections on victims and their families.

As you are aware, my precious 5 year old daughter, Adreanna, succumbed to EEE in 2005. Her symptoms began on August 25, 2005. She developed a sudden high fever, complained of muscle aches and said that her "brain hurt". I rushed her to the South Shore Medical Center for care, mentioned that a local resident had recently died from EEE, and asked that she be tested for this infection. By the next day, Adreanna lost the ability to walk, her voice softened, and she became dehydrated. Adreanna suffered seizures in the afternoon and was rushed to South Shore Hospital. After two spinal taps, she was diagnosed and confirmed to be suffering from meningitis, and transferred as an emergency patient to Children's Hospital.

Once admitted to Children's Hospital, Adreanna continued with bouts of high fever and seizures. On August 28, Adreanna fell into a coma as a result of the swelling around her brain. In the ICU, Adreanna was hooked up to 18 different IVs and monitors. None of these measures cured or reversed this terrible illness. We tried to fight her fever by surrounding her with ice packs, and her seizures were temporarily lessened by treatment with muscle relaxants and pain medication. Her breathing was helped by the use of a ventilator.

By August 30, the swelling of Adreanna's brain had become critical, and her brainstem activity had become depressed. Doctors informed us that Adreanna had just a 50/50 chance of survival with severe brain damage and no quality of life. My sister-in-law miscarried shortly after the news, possibly due, in part, to the terrible stress of Adreanna's illness. I began to question myself on how to explain all of this to Adreanna's 7 year old sister.

Friends and family flocked the hospital in prayer and hope. By Labor Day, though her body was maintained on life support, my child was pronounced brain dead. On September 4, 2005 10:39 p.m. by precious and beautiful 5 year old daughter died in my arms as I held her saying my good byes. It was explained to me that an autopsy would be needed to confirm the cause of Adreanna's illness. The autopsy results confirmed that she had succumbed to EEE, and I donated Adreanna's remains for future research. I hope that part of her can help with the development of vaccines or cures for our society. My daughter died as a result of the bite of an infected mosquito.

The illnesses caused by mosquito borne viruses have an overwhelming financial cost. Adreanna's medical bills between hospital exceeded $180,000. The cost of day to day expenses for hospital stay for parents quarters, food, gas to travel back and forth to families and siblings, mortgage and other likewise bills became a burden to afford as well as needing time from work to be with my dying daughter.

On September 8, 2005 my 7 year old daugther helped in planning her best friend and little sister's funeral by selecting prayer cards, casket, plot and final resting place. Ashley also helped pick the toys and clothes her beloved sister would be taken with her to Heaven. In addition to Ashleys help there was another financial obligation for wake, death certificates and transfer of body adding another $8,500 to medical costs.

Since then, I have stopped thinking about mosquitoes as mere annoyances, but rather, as agents of death.

After researching and educating myself about EEE and other infectious diseases, I decided to apply my efforts to helping others understand the impact of these devastating illnesses. I started a petition called Save the Children from EEE. It supports efforts to enhance surveillance and notification procedures, and better public education about the risks of mosquito-borne disease and benefits of mosquito control. About 2,000 persons have signed the petition as of now. Usiing my own financial resources, I obtained and distributed 197 full curriculums about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease to elementary schools. I provided 50 copies of the CDC's educational computer resource about mosquitoes to Bristol County MCP. I have appeared on cable TV programs and visited local towns to educate the Selectmen and BOH.

During the 15 months since Adreanna's passing, I have noted several serious problems that can and should be addressed. Our State agencies responsible for public and environmental health must agree to begin to work together instead of ignoring and fighting with each other. The regulations and legislation must be revised to allow for and encourage cooperation between these agencies, and to allow the mosquito control projects to perform their work without unnecessary delays, financial costs and bureaucracy.

From what I've learned, vital mistakes were made during the last two summers because of miscommunication, and because some State officials listened more to those with a political agenda instead of those trying to protect public health. These actions were and are not in the best interest of protecting the general public. I urge you to make decisions in regards to the people of the Commonwealth. Base your decisions on data and facts, and not on fear an guesses that mosquito control might harm people or the environment. Adreanna died because of a very real infection transmitted from a real mosquito.

I sincerely believe that if clinical cases of mosquito borne viruses were taken more seriously, and if the problems did not exist that I mention above, that my daughter might still be alive today. During this season of New Beginning and Hope, I have forgiven and accepted these facts. Lets learn from the past and base our programs on scientific evidence and honesty.

Sincerely,

Kimberly King"