New York resident dies from EEE

A New York state resident who was diagnosed with the state’s first confirmed case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in nearly 10 years has died, according to authorities who declared an imminent threat to public health.

The Ulster County patient – who was not identified – was diagnosed on Sept. 20 by the Health Department’s Wadsworth Center, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday.

The case was the first instance of EEE in New York since 2015, and is being investigated by the county’s health department, the press release added.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued a declaration of an imminent threat to public health in response to the diagnosis.

The declaration frees up state resources to support EEE prevention efforts by local health officials – including ongoing mosquito spraying – through Nov. 30, the governor’s office said.

Multiple state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Parks Department, were leapt into action to expand access to bug repellent at public sites in response to the Ulster County case,

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority,” Gov. Hochul said.

“Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took statewide action to help protect communities – and with today’s declaration we’re making more State resources available to local departments to support their public health response.  

Of the Ulster County patient, Hochul said that “our sympathies and our hearts go out to their family.”

Visitors at state parks, visitor centers, trail heads, and other state properties will notice increased signage about EEE risks, and more mosquito spray will be on-hand, Hochul added.

Park hours and camping availability may also be curtailed during peak mosquito activity.

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious disease spread to humans by infected mosquitoes, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

Although most people infected with the virus will not experience symptoms, health experts warn that early signs of severe cases include headache, high fever, chills and vomiting.

About 30% of eastern equine encephalitis cases are deadly, and those who recover from the disease may have neurological impairment.

“Eastern equine encephalitis is different this year,” Dr. McDonald said.

“While we normally see these mosquitoes in two to three counties each year, this year they have been in 15 counties so far, and scattered all over New York State. This life-threatening mosquito-borne disease has no commercially available human vaccine and must be taken seriously. 

“Mosquitoes, once a nuisance, are now a threat.”

The mosquitoes will likely stay around until there are multiple nights when the temperatures dip below freezing – meaning to risk to could last through or well into the winter, McDonald added.

A least 10 cases of EEE were confirmed across the US this year, including another deadly case in New Hampshire.

The virus was also  identified in several horses in New York state, including in Orange, Ulster, Saint Lawrence, Madison, Oneida, Cayuga, Wayne and Washington counties, the state Department of Health said in August.

A mosquito sample collected on Aug. 28 in the Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale, on Long Island, tested positive for EEE, officials said.

So far, there have been no human cases of EEE in Suffolk County.

“We don’t want people to be alarmed but rather informed,” said Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott. 

“We will be treating the park for mosquitoes this weekend, and we encourage residents to continue to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”