After the death of an Ulster County resident of the mosquito-borne illness eastern equine encephalitis, state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald on Monday issued a “Declaration of an Imminent Threat to Public Health for EEE,” Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. The move allows the use of state resources to help support EEE prevention and local health departments, including ongoing spraying for mosquitos, from Sept. 30 to Nov. 30.

According to state, the victim’s case was confirmed on Friday; it was not immediately clear if that was also the day the person died. The incident was the state’s first death from the virus since 2015.

“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 said in a statement. “We’ve been informed this patient has passed away from EEE; we extend our sympathies and our hearts go out to their family.”

"I extend my sincere condolences to the patient’s family and loved ones," County Executive Jen Metzger stated Monday. "This is the first human case of EEE in New York since 2015, and the Ulster County Health Department is working closely with New York State and other partners to monitor the situation and keep the public informed of any additional cases. I urge Ulster County residents to take all precautions to avoid mosquito bites, including by using repellent, wearing long sleeves and long pants, and avoiding outdoor activity at dawn and dusk.”

The Ulster resident is the third known death this year from the virus; last month, a patient each from Massachusetts and New Hampshire succumbed to the illness. Also, as per Hochul’s office, 18 cases of EEE have been in identified in horses across 12 counties in New York State this year.

According to the governor's office, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will hand out mosquito repellent to park visitors at park offices, visitor centers and campground offices. OPRHP is also putting up signs at parks and historic sites to warn patrons of EEE and is working with local health departments in affected areas about limiting park hours and camping availability during hours of peak mosquito activity.

“Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but severe viral disease spread by infected mosquitoes that can affect people and horses,” Hochul’s office stated. “People of all ages are susceptible to infection, but people over 50 and younger than 15 are at a high risk of acquiring the virus.

“While most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop symptoms, severe cases may begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis and coma. Approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, while many patients who survive EEE experience neurologic impairment.

“There is no commercially available human vaccine for EEE and the best protection is to prevent mosquito bites.

“The following precautions are recommended to reduce the risk of infection from EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses:

Consider wearing long sleeves and tucking pants into socks and shirts into pants when outdoors at dusk or dawn, the time of day when mosquitoes are most active.
Use insect repellents containing DEET. Be sure to follow the insect repellent label directions. Children should not handle repellents directly. Instead, adults should apply repellents to their hands first and then gently spread them on the child's exposed skin. Avoid applying directly to children's hands. After returning indoors, wash your child's treated skin and clothing with soap and water or bathe the child.
Make sure there are screens in the windows and doors of the home. Make sure the screens are free of rips, tears and holes.
Eliminate all standing water in yards and around the home and property where mosquitoes can breed, including plastic containers, pool covers, wading pools, ceramic pots, clogged drainpipes and wheelbarrows. Also, change water in bird baths twice a week.”