Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- County health departments are asking you to protect yourself against mosquito bites as you and your kids head outdoors. This reminder comes one day after a four-year-old from the Town of New Haven contracted Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and died over the weekend.
We're told the four-year-old died Sunday morning after being taken to Golisano Children's Hospital. Authorities are not releasing her name at this time in respect to her family.
EEE has been detected in a number of mosquito pools in Oswego County. There is no fool-proof way to protect yourself from the virus; however there are preventative steps you can take.
Currently there is no vaccine for EEE; there isn't even a specific treatment for the virus, but according to health department officials the best way to protect yourself and your family is to stay away from where mosquitoes concentrate and to limit outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Officials also recommend using bug spray and wearing long sleeves, pants and socks.
It's advice some people have already been taking.
Symptoms of EEE include: sudden headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. If you have any of these symptoms you’ll want to see your doctor right away. While rare, one-third of the people who get it die. Those who survive can have severe brain damage.
There have been five deaths from EEE in New York State over the past 40 years. The State Health Department says the risk is highest from now through September. All ages are susceptible to the virus, but especially children under 15 and adults over the age of 50.
At this time, officials do not plan on spraying for mosquitoes.
4-year-old dead after being diagnosed with EEE
August 15, 2011
Oswego County (WSYR-TV) – A 4-year-old girl from New Haven who had been diagnosed with the EEE virus died on Sunday.
The family has asked that the deceased child’s identity remain confidential for the time being.
NewsChannel 9 made several calls to officials in Oswego County asking if this case would mean aerial mosquito spraying could be reconsidered. No officials offered comment.
The family of the child who died of EEE has asked the community not to identify them, or their child, to the press at this time. The town is honoring this request and is asking the community to do the same. This is the only statement the town will be giving until the family has had a chance to deal with their loss and is ready to speak with the press.
