First death from eastern equine encephalopathy in New York City

The first death from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has been confirmed in New York City, marking the first case in the state in a decade. The individual, a resident of Ulster County, was diagnosed with EEE on 20 September. Governor Kathy Hochul’s office has announced this news, highlighting the risk of contracting the disease through infected mosquitoes. EEE has no known treatment, making it an urgent health concern. There is currently no vaccine against this disease. In response, measures have been implemented to protect citizens from infection. These include cleaning green areas to reduce mosquito presence, increasing the availability of insect repellents at state parks and campsites, and heightened awareness of EEE among residents.