New Yorker Dies of Rare Mosquito-Borne Illness: ‘Imminent Threat’ Declared

A New York resident has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a rare but deadly mosquito-borne virus, leading Governor Kathy Hochul to declare EEE an “imminent threat” to public health.
The individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, was reported in Ulster County on Monday and is the second death from the disease in the United States this year following another fatal case in New Hampshire last month. This latest incident marks the first such death in New York since 2015.
As of September 17, ten human cases of the disease had been reported nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In response to the death and increase in cases, Hochul stressed the urgency of the situation in a statement, declaring EEE an “imminent threat” and noted the state’s commitment to curbing the spread of the virus.
“The finding of EEEv infection in several counties throughout the state, including a recent case in a human, indicates that a significant risk to human health is present in New York State. I declare that an Imminent Threat to Public Health for mosquito-borne disease exists in New York State based on current activity,” Hochul said in a press release.
Declaring an imminent threat has enabled the local health departments to receive more resources.
“Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took statewide action to help protect communities – and with today’s declaration we’re making more State resources available to local departments to support their public health response,” Hochul added.
Newsweek reached out to Hochul’s office via email for comment.
Although rare, EEE has a high mortality rate, with approximately 30 percent of infected individuals dying of the illness, according to the CDC. The condition is passed on by the bite of an infected mosquito, so anyone who enters an area where such mosquitoes appear is at risk.
If you are bitten and infected, symptoms can take four to ten days to show. These can range from fever, headache, and vomiting to severe complications like seizures. Prevention efforts remain critical, especially in regions prone to outbreaks, as no vaccines or treatments are currently available.
The virus is typically found in the eastern and Gulf Coast states. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in or around water, so EEE-carrying mosquitoes most often lurk in swampy areas.
Only a handful of cases are reported each year. Last year, seven cases were confirmed across the country, but 2019 saw a spike, with more than 30 cases recorded.
Health officials continue to urge residents in high-risk areas to take precautions, including using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing outdoors.