A rare deadly equine virus that can be transmitted to humans, killing about 30% of people afflicted, has been spotted in several Hudson Valley counties and surrounding states.
An elderly Massachusetts man was recently infected, and the virus has killed a horse in Orange County, according to health officials.
The Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEE) is spread from horses to people through mosquitoes. Those who survive commonly develop ongoing neurological issues, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Coma and seizures are also possible.
“There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat eastern equine encephalitis,” the agency warns.
In New England, a Woescter man in his 80s was infected by EEE earlier this month — the first case in more than four years for Massachusets.
“EEE is a rare but serious disease and a public health concern,” said Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein.
Locally, along with Orange, EEE has been found in Ulster, Saint Lawrence, Madison, Oneida, Cayuga, Wayne and Washington counties, the New York State Department of Health reports.
The city of Newburgh on the Hudson River was where an unvaccinated horse succumbed to the disease, as did another in Atlantic County, New Jersey. A horse in Clinton County, next to the Canadian border in New York, also tested positive for EEE.
“A positive test in a horse lets us know that EEE is circulating in mosquitos that bite mammals, including humans. We continue to monitor and assess mosquito and virus activities,” said Orange County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Alicia Pointer.
A wild turkey in Maine was also recently diagnosed with EEE, and a deer in Connecticut died from it as well on Aug. 12.
So far, no one in New York has been impacted, according to the state agency, but sudden headaches, high fevers, chills and vomiting are all warning signs and typically appear between four and 10 days after a mosquito bite.
Those over age 50 and under 15 are at the highest risk.
“Mosquitoes will be present in our communities until at least the end of September, so it’s important to be mindful of how we can protect ourselves when spending time outdoors,” warned NYS Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
Wearing long sleeves, using bug spray containing DEET (diethyltoluamide) and checking window screens for holes are all preventative measures.
