CAYUGA COUNTY - On Aug. 12, the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center confirmed Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE) in a resident of Oswego County. That victim, a four-year-old child from New Haven died from complications of the disease on Aug. 14.
Prior to this latest death, only five deaths from the virus have been recorded in New York State in the last 40 years.In recent years New York State has seen an increase in EEE activity. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare but serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can affect people and horses. EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States because of its high mortality rate. There is no vaccine for protection from EEE. At this time there are no plans to spray for mosquitos in the area although the virus has been detected in numerous areas around Oswego County. A horse in Oneida County had to be put down after contracting the disease earlier in the month.
Symptoms of EEE can cause a range of illnesses including; mild flu-like illness with fever, headache and fatigue. More serious symptoms include; infection of the central nervous system, causing sudden fever, muscle pains and a headache of increasing severity, often followed quickly by seizures and coma. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous complication. Symptoms usually appear within 5 to 15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
The Cayuga County Health Department is urging residents to take extra precautions while spending time outdoors this summer. Here are some tips to avoid mosquitoes.
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active (typically from dusk to dawn).
• Use mosquito repellants when necessary.
• Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks.
• Be sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to avoid mosquitoes from entering the home.
If you have further questions please visit our website:
http://co.cayuga.ny.us/hhs/doh/index.htm or give Environmental Health a call at 253-1405