As temperatures rise across New York, state health officials are urging residents to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
“While we encourage New Yorkers to enjoy the outdoors, we also want them to take sensible precautions against mosquitos and avoid potential serious illness, such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “Infected mosquitoes look just like regular mosquitoes and can be found in outdoor areas across the state. You can prevent mosquito bites by utilizing insect repellent, avoiding standing water near your home and using screens in open windows.”
West Nile Virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. While not all mosquitoes carry WNV, it has been present in New York since 1999. In 2024, the state saw a record 100 cases—the highest number reported in over ten years. The first human case of WNV this year was confirmed in Onondaga County; that patient was hospitalized but has since been discharged and is recovering.
Most people who contract WNV do not experience symptoms, but those who do may notice fever, headache, body aches, rash or swollen glands within three to fifteen days after being bitten. Severe cases can involve neurological symptoms such as high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness or paralysis and may result in death.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare but severe disease that also spreads via mosquito bites. Last year saw unusually high activity for EEE in New York with two human cases—one fatal—alongside 22 equine and two avian cases spanning 18 counties. This year EEE has already been detected in mosquitoes from Onondaga County. Although anyone can be affected by EEE, those over age 50 or under age 15 face higher risk of infection and complications. Serious symptoms include sudden headache, high fever, vomiting and potentially seizures or coma; about one third of severe EEE cases are fatal.
Currently there are no vaccines available for either virus for humans; health authorities emphasize prevention as the best protection.
Officials recommend several measures: using insect repellents containing DEET or other EPA-registered ingredients; wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors; keeping window screens intact; removing standing water where mosquitoes breed around homes; and limiting outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk.
Travelers should also be aware that diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, chikungunya virus (including outbreaks in Bolivia and parts of the Indian Ocean), Oropouche virus (in the Americas), yellow fever (in South America), and malaria (in Ethiopia) continue to circulate internationally according to current CDC travel alerts https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/. The CDC urges travelers to check their destination’s advisories before departure.
Returning travelers from affected regions should follow similar precautions against mosquito bites upon their return.
More information on these diseases is available on the New York State Department of Health website.
