NYS Announces Action After Confirmed EEE Fatal Case

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — For the first time since 2015, New York state is reporting a human case of Eastern Encephalomyelitis, or EEE.

A rare mosquito-borne disease recently claimed the life of an Ulster County man.

In response, Governor Kathy Hochul ordered statewide measures to reduce the risk of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis.

To learn more about EEE, I met with Dr. Thomas Russo, an infectious disease expert at the University at Buffalo.

“I think the level of concern is appropriate, although rare, it could have a very unfortunate outcome,” Dr. Russo said. “There is currently no treatment for eastern equine encephalitis, there is no vaccine for this infection.”

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Dr. Russo said that while most people bitten by an infected mosquito do not show symptoms, some will experience a fever or flu-like illness. More severe infections can affect the brain. That is where EEE can become fatal.

“For people with brain infections, the mortality rate is 30 percent, and a significant portion of those who survive have residual neurological problems,” Dr. Russo said.

Historically, cases of EEE in animals have occurred in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, with the closest report to western New York this year coming from Wayne County, east of Rochester.

“There have been no reported human cases in all of Western New York, and to my knowledge, this virus has not been identified in mosquito pools here in Erie County,” Dr. Russo said.

Despite this, New York State is taking the following actions:

• Providing mosquito repellents to park visitors at state park offices, visitor centers, and campground offices
• Placing signs in parks and historic sites to raise awareness of EEE
• Informing customers booking campsites about preventive measures they can take to avoid mosquito bites
• Raising awareness about EEE and other mosquito-borne pathogens and how to avoid mosquito bites on social media, on the website and in our mobile app

To reduce the risk of EEE infection, the following precautions are also recommended:

• Consider wearing long sleeves and pants
• Use insect repellents containing DEET
• Make sure there are mosquito nets on the windows and doors of your home
• Eliminate standing water in your garden or around your home

There are also professional pest control services like Mosquito Joe, located in North Tonawanda.

“We’ve had a few people call and sign up for EEE services,” said Eric Baum, Mosquito Joe’s deputy general manager.

Baum said his services often provide customers with peace of mind when it comes to mosquito-borne illnesses.

“Our treatment works in two ways. It works as a mosquito repellent. We also take care of where the larvae are. We take care of the water areas where they breed. It’s also contact, so when a mosquito comes into contact with our product, it helps eliminate the mosquitoes,” Baum said.

Dr. Russo emphasized the importance of being proactive.

“I think people should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites, but by no means should we panic about this situation, especially in Western New York,” Russo said.

A representative from the New York State Department of Health also joined Voices Tuesday to discuss the confirmed case of EEE. You can watch the full discussion below.

‘Immediate threat to public health’: First EEE death in New York state since 2015