Introduction
Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare disease spread by mosquitoes that has killed one person in New York state, leading Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim it an urgent threat to public health.
Following the death of a New Hampshire resident last month from an infection with the eastern equine encephalitis virus, the Ulster County death was reportedly the second from the disease in the United States this year.
Governor stated…
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that as of September 17, ten human cases of the illness, also known as EEE, had been documented nationally before the New York case was confirmed.
The illness-related death in Ulster County marked the first in New York since 2015. There are no known facts regarding the individual who contracted the infection and passed away.
According to Hochul, the public health declaration will enable state funding to support regional health authorities in their efforts to combat EEE.
The governor stated in a news release, “My administration took statewide action to help protect communities following the first confirmed human case of EEE. With today’s declaration we’re making more State resources available to local departments to support their public health response.”
Only a small number of EEE cases are reported in the United regions annually, primarily in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions, according to the CDC.
Conclusion
Only seven instances were reported nationwide in 2018, while 2019—a historically poor year—saw almost 30 cases.
About 30% of those who with EEE pass away, and there are no vaccines or therapies available. Seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and headaches are among the symptoms.
