A dangerous mosquito-borne virus has landed in New York, with State Health Commissioner James MacDonald declaring the virus an immediate public health threat to New Yorkers this week after the state reported its first cases and deaths from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in nearly a decade.
EEEE Humans are not the virus’s natural host – the mosquitoes that spread it live in freshwater swamps – so the virus rarely comes into contact with humans – but its infestation anywhere is a concern because once inside the body, the virus can cause a severe brain infection that can kill a third of patients.
Late last month, Massachusetts health officials reported their first case of the disease since 2020. A second case followed soon after, including a second confirmed case in a horse (which is also an incidental host for the virus). Following the detection of the first case, at least one nearby town instituted a voluntary nighttime curfew on outdoor activity to limit people’s exposure to EEE. So far this year, seven states have Reported Human case of EEE (all brain infection), latest case in New York.
The New York case involved a resident of Ulster County, part of the Hudson Valley region. On September 20, the state health department confirmed that the person had EEE, the first confirmed case in the state since 2015. On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hockal announced the resident’s death and said the state would take several steps to curb EEE, starting with McDonald’s declaration.
“Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took steps across the state to protect our communities, and with today’s declaration we are providing increased state resources to local governments to assist their public health response. We have been notified that this patient has passed away from EEE. We express our sympathies and our heartfelt condolences to the family,” she said. statement This was announced by the Governor’s Office.
These measures include providing mosquito repellent to park visitors at park offices, visitor centers and campground offices across the state, posting signs in parks and other outdoor locations to educate people about EEE, and supporting additional mosquito control efforts ongoing through November, when mosquitoes are expected to finally die off for winter.
So far, at least, the number of confirmed EEE cases in the US this year appears to be on track with normal. But MacDonald said the mosquitoes that carry EEE are much more active than usual in New York, with cases in 15 counties (up from two to three in normal years), so people should take steps to protect themselves from these and other blood-sucking mosquitoes.
“Mosquitoes, once a nuisance, are now a threat and we urge New Yorkers to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and eliminating standing water near homes,” McDonald said in a statement. “Fall has officially arrived, but mosquitoes will remain a presence until we experience multiple nights of sub-freezing temperatures.”
