First Human Mosquito-Borne EEE Case Since 2015 Confirmed In New York

Community Corner

First Human Mosquito-Borne EEE Case Since 2015 Confirmed In New York State health officials are telling New Yorkers to take protective measures to avoid mosquito bites after an Ulster County patient got sick.

ULSTER COUNTY, NY — A human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been confirmed in Ulster County.

The New York State Department of Health is advising New Yorkers to take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites after the department's Wadsworth Center confirmed a human case of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE). The case is the first human case of EEE in New York State since 2015.

The Ulster County Department of Health was informed of the case and is currently investigating. The patient who came down with the potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease is hospitalized.

"Eastern equine encephalitis is a serious and fatal mosquito-borne disease with no vaccine," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Mosquitos once a nuisance, are now a threat. It's important that we prevent mosquito bites using insect repellants, wearing long sleeve clothing and removing free standing water near our homes. Even though temperatures are getting cooler, mosquito-borne illnesses are still a risk and New Yorkers must be cautious."

The recent human case in New York State was identified on Friday by the Wadsworth Center. Other states, including Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and New Hampshire, have also reported human EEE cases this year.

In August 2024, there was a confirmed case of EEE in a horse in Ulster County.

"With the first confirmed human case of eastern equine encephalitis in Ulster County, I urge residents to take the recommended precautions to prevent mosquito bites and the risk of infection," Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said.

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but severe viral disease spread by infected mosquitoes that can affect people and horses. People of all ages are susceptible to infection, but people over 50 and younger than 15 are at a high risk of acquiring the virus.

While most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop symptoms, severe cases may begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis and coma. Approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, while many patients who survive EEE experience neurologic impairment.

There is no commercially available human vaccine for EEE and the best protection is to prevent mosquito bites.

State health officials are recommending all New Yorkers take steps to reduce the risk of infection from EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses:

Consider wearing long sleeves and tucking pants into socks and shirts into pants when outdoors at dusk or dawn, the time of day when mosquitoes are most active.

Use insect repellents containing DEET. More information on repellents can be found here . Be sure to follow the insect repellent label directions. Children should not handle repellents directly. Instead, adults should apply repellents to their hands first and then gently spread them on the child's exposed skin. Avoid applying directly to children's hands. After returning indoors, wash your child's treated skin and clothing with soap and water or bathe the child.

Make sure there are screens in the windows and doors of the home. Make sure the screens are free of rips, tears and holes.

Eliminate all standing water in yards and around the home and property where mosquitoes can breed, including plastic containers, pool covers, wading pools, ceramic pots, clogged drainpipes and wheelbarrows. Also, change water in bird baths twice a week.

More information on eastern equine encephalitis can be found here .