Deadly Mosquito-Borne Virus Returns to New York: First EEE Case in Nearly a Decade Strikes State Resident
Eastern Equine Encephalitis: A Rare and Deadly Mosquito-Borne Virus
Survivors fear long-term neurological damage from the rare virus, which has a high mortality rate and can cause severe brain inflammation in humans.
The New York State Department of Health reported the first case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a decade on the 20th. The disease is caused by a rare virus spread by mosquitoes and can cause severe brain inflammation in humans after being bitten.
The state Department of Health said the rare mosquito-borne virus has been detected in Ulster County, and one patient has been hospitalized. At the same time, the Ulster County Health Department is also investigating the case, which is the first confirmed case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in New York State since 2015.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent it, and state Health Director James McDonald said in a statement that Eastern equine encephalitis is a serious and deadly mosquito-borne disease for which there is currently no vaccine to prevent it.
Prevention is Key
The best way to prevent infection with the disease is to avoid mosquito bites, including using mosquito repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing, preparing outdoor clothing and equipment, and taking measures to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.
Ulster County Supervisor Jen Metzger urged residents to take recommended precautions to avoid mosquito bites and the risk of infection, saying, “With the first confirmed human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in our county in nearly a decade, I urge residents to take recommended precautions to avoid mosquito bites and the risk of infection.”
National Cases
Confirmed cases of Eastern equine encephalitis bring the number of human infections in the United States to at least 11 this year. According to statistics, the national average number of cases per year is 11, mostly concentrated in the eastern part of the country or the Gulf Coast states.
In addition to New York, at least six states have reported cases of Eastern equine encephalitis this year, including four in Massachusetts, two in New Hampshire, and one each in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Between 2003 and 2023, at least 196 cases of Eastern equine encephalitis have been reported in the United States, with 176 hospitalizations and 79 deaths.
Symptoms and Risks
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that most people infected with Eastern equine encephalitis will not develop symptoms. For those who are symptomatic, symptoms may include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness. The CDC also notes that about one-third of severely ill patients will die.