United States: In the latest update, the first person who was diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis in New York after a decade has died, raising a concerning wave in the state.
The incident has urged Governor Kathy Hochul to declare the rare but lethal mosquito-borne viral disease an imminent public health threat on Monday.
More about the news
While announcing the death news in Ulster County, Ms. Hochul outlined the steps to be taken by the state health officials, aiming to lower the state’s prevalent risk of the resident’s risk of exposure from the disease, which is also called E.E.E. in short, the New York Times reported.
As per the reports, this death case in New York is the second death associated with E.E.E. this year in the US. The first one was of a 41-year-old man from New Hampshire, who died in August.
What more is the CDC stating?
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the disease’s presence in human cases also came from Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin this year.
As per the CDC, a total of ten human cases of E.E.E. were reported naturally as of September 17, before the occurrence of the New York case.
However, the New York officials have not issued details regarding the Ulster County resident, whose sickness was first diagnosed on September 20.
This case was deemed the first human case with E.E.E. in New York since 2015.
Steps urged by officials to stop the disease
In order to combat the disease’s spread, Ms. Hochul mentioned that the state’s parks agency would provide mosquito repellent to visitors, several post signs would placed at parks and at historic sights to raise awareness about E.E.E., and consult with local health departments about limiting park hours and camping availability during times of peak mosquito activity.
According to Dr. James McDonald, the state health commissioner, “Eastern equine encephalitis is different this year,” and “Mosquitoes, once a nuisance, are now a threat. I urge all New Yorkers to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and removing free-standing water near their homes,” the New York Times reported.