Central NY: Resident has EEE- dies

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iwu6b7aTsGbWUlFjymtZgSIcxx0gD9ALEA100

Central NY resident has rare brain virus

(AP) ? 13 hours ago

SYRACUSE, N.Y. ? Health officials say a central New York resident has been diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a rare and potentially fatal brain infection spread by mosquitoes.

Gary Sauda of the Onondaga County Health Department in Syracuse says the case is the first reported human case of the disease in the area since 1983. He says the person is an adult and has been hospitalized. Sauda had no other information.

Tests of mosquito pools have shown widespread presence of the EEE virus this summer in Onondaga and Oswego counties. The Onondaga County Health Department says it will spray the Cicero Swamp and surrounding areas Monday to reduce the mosquito population.

The Centers for Disease Control says an average of five human cases of the disease occur each year in the U.S.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Central NY: Resident has EEE- dies

Source: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/oswego_resident_dies_of_rare_e.html

Oswego resident dies of rare EEE virus
by James T. Mulder / The Post-Standard
Tuesday September 15, 2009, 4:55 PM

Oswego, NY -- An Oswego County resident ill with Eastern Equine Encephalitis has died, according to the Oswego County Health Department.

EEE is a rare, but potentially deadly viral disease spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.

The last human case of EEE in 1983 was also fatal when it killed a 7-year-old Camillus boy. A previous human case in New York in 1971 also was fatal.

Dr. Dennis Norfleet, Oswego's public health director, said the fatality rate of EEE ranges from 30 percent to 70 percent.

"We are still in mosquito season, so residents have to continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites," Norfleet said. "Staying away from areas where mosquitoes concentrate and limiting outside activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active are two of the best measures people can take."

Public health officials also advised people to follow these precautions:

*Wear shoes, socks, long pants with bottoms tucked into boots or socks, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time and at dawn and at dusk.

*Use mosquito repellent over clothes.

*Repair or replace broken screens in doors or windows.