New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Sept. 23 she is activating multiple agencies and more coordination between state and local health departments after a person died from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).
EEE is a rare but potentially severe viral disease transmitted to humans and horses through an infected mosquito.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued a Declaration of an Imminent Threat to Public Health for the disease, which allows state resources to be used for EEE prevention and activities by local health departments. That includes mosquito spraying, which will continue through Nov. 30.
The death from EEE occurred in Ulster County, and it was the state’s first human case of EEE since 2015….