New York reports deaths from electrical and electronic equipment after first diagnosis of case in nearly a decade

The first person diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) in New York State in nearly a decade has died, Governor Kathy Hochul's office announced Monday.

The case was confirmed by the state health department on September 20 in Ulster County, which is located on the Hudson River. It is currently being investigated by the county health department.

State Health Officer Dr. James McDonald had previously issued an Immediate Public Health Threat Declaration following the EEE diagnosis, allowing the state to deploy resources, including mosquito control measures, from September 30 to November 30, 2024.

“Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is different this year. While we typically see these mosquitoes in two to three counties each year, so far this year they have been in 15 counties and scattered throughout New York State,” McDonald said in a statement. “This life-threatening mosquito-borne disease has no commercially available vaccine for humans and must be taken seriously. Mosquitoes, once a plague, are now a threat.”

“I urge all New Yorkers to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and removing standing water near their homes. Fall is officially here, but the mosquitoes will still be around until we experience several nights of sub-freezing temperatures,” the statement continued.

The New York case is likely at least the 11th EEE case this year, according to an ABC News count, including the 10 known cases listed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Outside New York, cases have been reported in Massachusetts (four), New Hampshire (two), and New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin (one each).

Between 2003 and 2023, at least 196 cases of electrical and electronic equipment were reported in the United States, including 176 hospitalizations and 79 deaths, according to CDC data.

According to the CDC, most people infected with EEE experience only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, severe cases usually present with fever, headache, chills and vomiting before progressing to more serious encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord).

According to the CDC, about one-third of all people who develop severe EEE die from the disease, while survivors may have persistent physical and neurological problems, including seizures, paralysis, cranial nerve dysfunction, personality disorders, and mental disabilities that can range from mild to severe.

There are no vaccines against waste electrical and electronic equipment and health authorities say the best protection is to avoid mosquito bites.

Health authorities recommend wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, tucking shirts into pants and pants into socks, at dusk or dawn, the times of day when mosquitoes are most active.

In addition, it is recommended to use insect repellent containing DEET, install screens on windows and doors, and remove any standing water around the house where mosquitoes can breed.

ABC News' Youri Benadjaoud and Meredith Deliso contributed to this report.