New York state experiences 1st human case of EEE in practically a decade

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New York state reported its first case of japanese equine encephalitis in practically a decade on Friday.

The uncommon mosquito-borne virus was detected in Ulster County, the New York State Division of Well being stated. The person is hospitalized, it stated.

The Ulster County Division of Well being is at present investigating the case, which marks the primary case of EEE confirmed in New York state since 2015, well being officers stated.

“Japanese equine encephalitis is a severe and deadly mosquito-borne illness with no vaccine,” New York State Well being Commissioner Dr. James McDonald stated in a press release. “Despite the fact that temperatures are getting cooler, mosquito-borne sicknesses are nonetheless a danger and New Yorkers have to be cautious.”

Matthew Vanderpool, environmental well being specialist and entomologist for the Louisville Metro Division of Public Well being and Wellness, shows a mosquito collected earlier within the day, Aug. 25, 2021 in Louisville, Ky.

Jon Cherry/Getty Photos

The human case comes after a case of EEE was confirmed in a horse in Ulster County in August, the state well being division stated. Earlier this month, two emus in New York’s Rensselaer County additionally examined constructive for the virus, which doesn’t unfold immediately from birds to people, the division stated.

The newest human EEE case in New York brings the nationwide tally to at the very least 11 to this point this 12 months, in response to an ABC Information tally. The nationwide yearly common is 11, with most instances occurring in japanese or Gulf Coast states.

Past New York, instances have been reported in at the very least six different states to this point this 12 months: Massachusetts, with 4; New Hampshire, with two; and, with one every, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.

Between 2003 and 2023, there have been at the very least 196 EEE instances reported within the U.S., together with 176 hospitalizations and 79 deaths.

One of the simplest ways to stop an infection from the illness is to guard your self from mosquito bites, together with by utilizing insect repellant, sporting long-sleeved shirts and pants, treating clothes and equipment and taking steps to manage mosquitoes indoors and outside.

“With the primary confirmed human case of japanese equine encephalitis in Ulster County, I urge residents to take the beneficial precautions to stop mosquito bites and the chance of an infection,” Ulster County Government Jen Metzger stated in a press release.

Most individuals contaminated with EEE don’t develop signs. For many who do, signs can embrace fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral modifications and drowsiness, in response to the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

Roughly a 3rd of all individuals who develop extreme instances die, in response to the CDC.

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