NY's EEE declaration of 'imminent threat' means more resources in the fight against the mosquito

NEW YORK – New York State announced on Monday that someone in Ulster County died of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitisor EEE.

The last human case of EEE in New York occurred in 2015. According to the CDC, at least 10 cases have been reported nationwide that year.

“Probably the worst thing about it is that the disease, aside from its rarity, has a very high mortality rate, meaning that people who contract it have a very high chance of dying,” said Bryon Backenson, director of the New York City Department of Health's Bureau of Communicable Disease Control. “One of the big things we've seen this year is Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis, which has been occurring in many horses in many different counties.”

According to the DOH, there are fifteen districts this year, compared to the usual two or three.

On Monday, authorities declared that there was an immediate threat to public health. The declaration calls for more resources for prevention, such as mosquito control.

There is no vaccine against electrical and electronic equipmentAccording to experts, the best protection is to avoid mosquito bites.

Precautionary measures against electrical and electronic equipment

According to authorities, people can take the following precautions:

• Wear long-sleeved clothing. Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants when mosquitoes are most active.
• Use insect repellent with DEET
• Use fly screens on windows and doors and make sure that the fly screens are not torn
• Eliminate standing pools of water where mosquitoes can breed. This can include plastic containers, wading pools, pots, wheelbarrows and more.
• Change the water in bird baths twice a week

“The risk for EEE and West Nile virus is actually highest this time of year … because these mosquitoes have had the opportunity to contract the virus over the course of the summer. And even though there are fewer mosquitoes right now, the likelihood of infection is actually higher,” Backenson said.

According to experts, most infected people do not develop symptoms, which may include fever, headache, vomiting, seizures and behavioral changes.

Upper West Side resident Ann Gorewitz said it was important to be as cautious as possible.

“A few weeks ago I was talking to a few people and I got bitten by mosquitoes and I was worried,” Gorewitz said. “I'll be in Ulster County after the weekend and I'll definitely take precautions: long pants, long sleeves.”

Click here for more information about EEE.