A tragic incident in New York state has led to the death of an individual from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare mosquito-borne illness. This development has prompted Governor Kathy Hochul to declare EEE an imminent threat to public health.
The fatality, reported in Ulster County, marks the second death from the disease in the United States this year. Prior to this case, ten human instances of EEE had been reported nationwide as of September 17, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This recent death in Ulster County is the first attributed to EEE in New York state since 2015. Details about the deceased individual have not been disclosed.
In response to this concerning situation, Governor Hochul has issued a public health declaration to mobilize state resources in support of local health departments' efforts to combat EEE. The aim is to enhance the public health response and safeguard communities.
According to the CDC, EEE cases in the U.S. are relatively rare, with most occurrences concentrated in the eastern and Gulf Coast states. In 2020, only seven cases were reported nationally, but the numbers spiked to over 30 in 2019, which was considered a particularly severe year for the disease.
Unfortunately, there are currently no vaccines or specific treatments available for EEE. The disease has a high fatality rate, with approximately 30% of infected individuals succumbing to the illness. Symptoms of EEE include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
