From Rare Mosquito-Borne Virus, EEE, Dies A New York Resident

The second fatality from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in the U.S. this year has been reported in Ulster County, New York.

The mosquito-borne illness, which claimed its latest victim on Monday, prompted Governor Kathy Hochul to declare an imminent threat to public health.

A similar case in New Hampshire resulted in a death last month, and, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ten human cases of the disease had been reported nationwide as of September 17, Associated Press reports.

This marks the first EEE-related death in New York state since 2015. The identity of the Ulster County resident who died has not been released.

Governor Hochul emphasized the state's proactive response: “Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took statewide action to help protect communities – and with today’s declaration we’re making more State resources available to local departments to support their public health response,” she said.

The CDC notes that only a few cases of EEE are reported annually, mostly in the eastern and Gulf Coast states. While last year saw just seven cases nationwide, 2019 recorded over 30, highlighting the potential severity of the illness.

There is currently no vaccine or treatment for EEE, and the disease is fatal in about 30% of cases. Common symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.