A dangerous mosquito-borne virus has landed in New York. This week, state Health Commissioner James McDonald announced that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has become the most common disease in New York after the state reported its first cases and deaths in nearly a decade. imminent public health threat.
EEE rarely interacts with humans because we are not its natural hosts, and the mosquitoes that spread it often live in freshwater swamps. But when the virus does invade our bodies, it can cause severe brain infections that kill up to a third of its victims, making it a cause for concern wherever it reaches.
Late last month, Massachusetts health officials reported the state’s first case of 2020; soon after, a second case emerged, the second in a horse (despite the name, horses are also a casualty of the virus) Host). The discovery of the first case prompted at least one nearby town to impose a voluntary nighttime curfew on outdoor activities in the hope of limiting people’s exposure to electrical and electronic equipment. So far this year, seven states have reported cases of human EEE (all brain infections), with New York being the latest.
The New York case involves a resident of Ulster County in the Hudson Valley region. On September 20, the state health department confirmed that the person was infected with EEE, the first case in the state since 2015. Measures to curb EEE, starting with McDonald’s declaration.
“Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took action across the state to help protect communities — and with today’s announcement, we are providing additional state resources to local departments to support them. public health response. We learned that this patient passed away from EEE and our hearts go out to their family,” she said in a statement released by the governor’s office.
These steps will include providing mosquito repellent to park visitors at park offices, visitor centers and campground offices across the state; posting signage in parks and other outdoor locations to educate people about electrical and electronic equipment; and further supporting the ongoing November Anti-mosquito spraying efforts, when mosquitoes may finally disappear in the winter.
The number of electrical and electronic equipment cases in the United States this year, at least so far, is in line with usual trends. But in New York, the mosquitoes capable of transmitting EEE are much more active than normal and have been found in 15 counties (usually two to three), according to McDonald. Therefore, people should take steps to avoid these and other blood-sucking mosquitoes.
“Once a nuisance, mosquitoes are now a threat. I urge all New Yorkers to use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved clothing and clear standing water near their homes to prevent mosquito bites. “Fall has officially arrived, but Mosquitoes will remain until we see multiple nights of below freezing temperatures. “
