Putnam County Department of Health Reminds Residents to
Protect Themselves from Bites

CARMEL, NY – Fall is officially here, but mosquito season is not quite over.  Governor Hochul has announced that the first human case of eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, in New York since 2015 has died.  This death, along with additional EEE cases among animals, highlight the need to continue to stay vigilant against mosquitoes and their bites. EEE virus is only spread by mosquitoes. Even though we feel a chill in the air, we cannot be assured that mosquitoes season is over until there have been several nights below freezing, so precautions should still be taken.   

There is more than one good reason to prevent mosquito bites. Since its arrival in 1999, West Nile virus has become the most common mosquito-borne illness in New York State.  According to the NYS Department of Health website, there have been 490 human cases and 37 deaths from West Nile reported statewide since the year 2000. 2024 is also proving to be a bad year for West Nile. As of September 14th, the NYS Department of Health has reported 54 cases statewide, more than double the average count usually seen by this time of year.    

"I encourage Putnam residents to continue to take proactive measures to prevent mosquito bites and avoid any possibility of these viruses,” said interim health commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD. “Even with the cooler weather that comes in the fall, we may have several more weeks before mosquito borne disease season is over.” 

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare, but severe viral disease affecting both people and horses. People of all ages are susceptible to infection, but those over 50 and younger than 15 are at greatest risk of acquiring the virus. “Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop any symptoms, however severe cases can start suddenly with a headache, high fever, chills and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis and coma,” adds Dr. Nesheiwat. Approximately a third of patients who develop symptomatic 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 highly recommended to reduce the risk of infection from EEE, West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses:  

• Cover your skin as completely as possible while outside when mosquitoes are present, especially at dusk or dawn when they are most active. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks.  
• Use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and follow label directions. Adults should apply it on children. More information on repellents can be found here.  
• Eliminate all standing water in yards and around the home where mosquitoes breed, including plastic containers, pool covers, wading pools, ceramic pots, clogged drainpipes and wheelbarrows. Change water in bird baths twice a week.  
• Make sure there are screens in the windows and doors of the home.  Check that screens are free of rips, tears and holes.  

Horse owners should consult with their veterinarian and make sure their animals are up to date on vaccinations for EEE, West Nile, and other viruses spread by mosquitoes. Horses cannot spread EEE to humans or other horses, but the virus can cause neurologic disease and death in unvaccinated animals. More information on Eastern Equine Encephalitis can be found here.  

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.