Officials have declared an imminent threat to public health and announced that a New York resident has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), the first case in the state in nearly a decade.
The Ulster County patient, whose identity has not been released, was diagnosed on Sept. 20 at the health department's Wadsworth Center. Gov. Kathy Hockle on Monday.
The case is the first in New York since 2015 and is under investigation by the county health department, the press release added.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. James MacDonald declared the disease an imminent threat to public health following the diagnosis.
According to the governor's office, the declaration frees up state resources to support local health departments' EEE prevention efforts, including ongoing mosquito control, through Nov. 30.
Several state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Parks Department, have taken action to expand access to repellents in public places in the wake of the Ulster County incident.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my number one priority,” Governor Hawkle said.
“Following the first confirmed human cases of EEE, my administration took steps across the state to protect our communities, and today's declaration provides increased state resources to local governments to assist in their public health response.”
“Our sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to their families,” Hokel said of the Ulster County patients.
Visitors to state parks, visitor centers, trailheads and other state lands will likely see more signs about the risks of EEE and more mosquito repellent available, Hochl added.
Park hours and camping availability may be restricted during periods of 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 and Prevention.
Most people infected with the virus don't experience any symptoms, but medical experts have warned that early severe symptoms can include headache, high fever, chills and vomiting.
About 30% of Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases are fatal, and even those who recover from the disease may be left with neurological problems.
“This year's eastern equine encephalitis is different than normal,” Dr. MacDonald said.
“Typically, this mosquito is found in two to three counties each year, but so far this year it has been identified in 15 counties and has spread throughout New York State. This life-threatening mosquito-borne disease has no commercially available human vaccine and must be taken seriously.”
“Mosquitoes were once a nuisance, but now they're a threat.”
MacDonald added that mosquitoes will likely persist until there are multiple nights with temperatures below freezing, meaning there's a risk they could persist throughout winter or well after.
At least 10 cases of EEE have been confirmed across the United States this year, including another fatal case in New Hampshire.
The New York State Department of Health announced in August that the virus had also been confirmed in several horses across New York state, including in Orange, Ulster, St. Lawrence, Madison, Oneida, Cayuga, Wayne and Washington counties.
Officials said a mosquito sample collected on Aug. 28 at the Connequat River State Park Preserve in Oakdale, Long Island, tested positive for EEE.
To date, no cases of EEE have been reported in Suffolk County.
“We don't want people to feel scared, we want them to be informed,” said Dr. Gregson Piggott, Suffolk County Health Officer.
“We will be carrying out mosquito control in the park this weekend and we urge residents to continue taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”
