ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) – Health officials want you to protect yourself against a rare mosquito-borne illness.

In August, health departments across the state began reporting a rise in detection of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEE) and West Nile Virus, including in Onondaga and Cayuga Counties, where a number of horses died from EEE.

On Friday, September 20, 2024, the Ulster County Health Department reported the first positive human case of EEE in the state since 2015. The individual was hospitalized, and by the following Monday was dead. That led to New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issuing a Declaration of an Imminent Threat to Public Health for EEE, which unlocks state resources for local health departments from September 30 to November 30, 2024. A death has also been reported in New Hampshire.

“Eastern Equine Encephalitis is different this year,” said Dr. McDonald. “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.”

Tompkins County Medical Director Dr. William Klepack confirms the Whole Health Department has been in contact with the state, though no additional spraying efforts are needed at this point. Dr. Klepack says although there have been no positive mosquitoes found in the county, it’s likely that some are here. He explains how the virus is transmitted, and it might be more prevalent this year.

According to the New York State Department of Health, prior to the most recent case, only 12 people were diagnosed with EEE in the state since 1971. However, seven of them died, and the virus has a 30% fatality rate in the advanced stage. Dr. Klepack says it’s prudent to address your surroundings, and your body.

The early symptoms of EEE are similar to a number of tick-borne diseases and seasonal respiratory illnesses. You should visit a physician if you develop any symptoms, but particularly if you experience vomiting or neurological symptoms.

If there is a silver lining associated with the virus, it’s that humans and horses are “dead-end hosts,” that is, they cannot pass the virus to others, except rarely through organ transplants.  The Tompkins County Whole Health Department is monitoring the situation closely but has no plan currently for mosquito spraying or additional surveillance beyond what the state is already doing, though that’s subject to change. Health officials are hopeful the colder weather will eradicate the problem.

“Once we get to the frost on the pumpkins for a number of nights, our mosquitoes will disappear, and this chapter will come to a close, hopefully with no more disasters than we’ve had already,” Klepack said.

More information on EEE is available here. While there is no specific treatment or vaccine for humans, a vaccine is available for horses. Contact your veterinarian about treatment options. Officials still recommend frequently changing water in horse troughs and buckets and eliminating standing water sources.