An Ulster County Resident Has Died from Rare Mosquito Virus

In a tragic update, the first New Yorker to contract Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in nearly a decade has died. While they have been identified as a Hudson Valley resident, questions still remain about how and where they were infected with the virus.

EEE is a virus carried by mosquitos that affects horses and humans. While a mosquito recently tested positive for EEE on Long Island, the Hudson Valley's focus is on Ulster County, where a horse and now a human patient have died.

A horse in Wallkill, NY recently died from a case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Now, an Ulster County resident has also died from EEE (Canva)

First Human Case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in New York Since 2015

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Ulster County Government reported that the horse that had succumbed to EEE was in Wallkill, NY, however officials are holding back identifying details on the Ulster County resident who died this week.

An Ulster County, NY resident has died after becoming infected with the EEE virus (Google/Canva)

"Imminent Threat to Public Health" Declared in New York State

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald has named EEE an "imminent threat to public health", a move that will allocate resources to local governments to help aid in mosquito control through November 30th. There are also personal measures Hudson Valley residents can take to further avoid exposure to mosquitos.

How Dangerous is Eastern Equine Encephalitis for Humans?

While most people bitten by mosquitos carrying EEE will not develop symptoms, those who do develop symptoms can face very serious health consequences. EEE can cause seizures, encephalitis (brains swelling) and comas, and has a 33% mortality rate.