Health officials: Mosquitoes are now a threat
SARANAC LAKE — The Essex County Health Department is warning residents about a deadly mosquito-borne virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE, or triple E), which killed one New York resident this week.
The resident, who lived in Ulster County, was the first recorded case of the virus in New York since 2015, according to a state Department of Health press release. Gov. Kathy Hochul responded Monday by announcing an imminent threat to public health.
Although the disease is rare compared to other mosquito-borne viruses like West Nile Virus, it is more deadly. There is no vaccine for humans, and the best way to avoid the virus is to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.
As of this week, both Franklin and Clinton counties have reported one case of triple E found in a horse. The Franklin County case was in town of Bombay, and the Clinton County case was in Mooers. A press release from Clinton County on Saturday reported that the horse was unvaccinated.
Prior to the case reported in New York, there were 10 human cases of the virus in the U.S. so far in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is an increase from the last few years. There were seven human cases in 2023, one case in 2022 and five cases in 2021. There have been other spikes in the disease, such as the record 38 human cases reported in 2019. This year's cases are clustered in the Northeast, with cases reported in Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
In the governor's press release, state Health Commissioner James McDonald expressed concern about the scope of the problem in New York this year.
"Eastern equine encephalitis is different this year," he said. "While we normally see these mosquitoes in two to three counties each year, this year they have been in 15 counties so far, and scattered all over New York state. Mosquitoes, once a nuisance, are now a threat."
The state DOH releases a weekly mosquito-borne illness report. The most recent report available, for the week ending Sept. 14, recorded 28 triple E positive mosquito pools and 17 equine cases of the virus in 2024.
About Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
The virus can infect mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians and poses the greatest risk to people younger than 15 and over 50. Between 1971 and 2024, 12 people in New York have been diagnosed with EEE, according to the state Department of Health. The virus is only carried by the mosquito, which means it cannot spread between people or animals.
If someone is infected with triple E, symptoms typically appear four to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms can vary and some people may display none at all. Severe infections begin with "sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting that may progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and coma," according to the state DOH. The disease causes death in about one third of patients and often causes brain damage for those who survive.
Triple E is diagnosed based on symptoms and a laboratory diagnosis that involves testing blood or spinal fluids for the virus or antibodies against the virus. There is no specific treatment.
Staying safe
Andrea Whitmarsh, responding via email on behalf of the Essex County Department of Health, seconded the advice issued by the state to stay safe from mosquitos potentially carrying the triple E virus.
– Use insect repellents that contain DEET, following label instructions. For children, spray the repellent on your hands and spread it onto exposed skin.
– Wear long sleeves, tucking pants into socks and shirts into pants when possible.
– Make sure windows are screened and that the screens are intact.
– Eliminate standing water in the yard and around the home, including plastic containers, pool covers, wading pools, ceramic pots, clogged drainpipes and wheelbarrows.
Whitmarsh would also remind the public that vaccines for triple E and West Nile Virus are available and recommended for horses. Keep in mind mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk and that the risk of infection is highest in the summer and fall until the first hard frost.
For residents of Franklin County who have standing water on their property that cannot be removed or drained, Franklin County Public Health is offering free mosquito dunks, larvicide pellets that target mosquito and blackfly larvae without harming other wildlife. The dunks are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Malone Courthouse lobby at 355 W. Main St.
Essex County is not providing dunks at this time, but Whitmarsh said they were looking into possible partnerships to provide this to residents.
