United States: New York’s last reported case of Eastern equine encephalitis was almost nine years ago, but now the disease is back, and there is already a case of one death associated with it.
More about the news
EEE is a virus that is transmitted from one host to another through the bite of a mosquito, and the CDC describes it as “a rare but serious disease” to mankind with a fatality rate of nearly 30 percent.
To this latest confirmed death, which incidentally is the first in New York in nearly two years, the authorities are taking it with seriousness, as Fox News pointed out.
According to Kurt Vandock, a public health expert, “Eastern equine encephalitis is a serious disease with symptoms occurring fast,” Yahoo News reported.
“If you live in an area with noted EEE activity and have flu-like symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito, you should seek medical care immediately,” Vandock reported.
The New York Department of Health made a statement to declare “an imminent threat to public health for mosquito-borne disease.”
Moreover, Gov. Kathy Hochul said: “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority.”
Why are experts worried?
Some officials are not uncomfortable dealing with EEE but are intrigued by what it indicates about mosquito-borne diseases. Other northeast states and Wisconsin have recorded some incidences of EEE affecting humans, too.
According to Vandock, “Anytime life is put at risk by vector-borne disease, we are concerned,” and “As viral loads increase and transmission rates follow this trend, it is a sign that interventions are necessary to help reduce the risk of transmission. One case of any vector-borne disease is one too many.”
He labeled it “conducive weather patterns,” meaning anything that aids the breeding of mosquitoes in large numbers.
However, as experts point out, it is unfortunate that these conditions have been on the rise owing to a longer breeding season, as well as a variety of conducive climates for mosquito breeding.