SCHUMER: WITH UPSTATE NY SEEING MAJOR UPTICK IN DEADLY MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES, INCLUDING FIRST HUMAN EEEV FATALITY IN NY IN YEARS, & MULTIPLE HORSE CASES IN THE CAPITAL REGION; SENATOR LAUNCHES TWO-PRONGED PUSH TO BOOST COORDINATION WITH FEDS AND INCREASE FUNDS TO BEAT BACK BUG & DISEASES

First Human EEEV Fatality Just Hit NYS Since 2015 & Now Schumer Says EEEV, West Nile And Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Are Going Later Into The Fall– Infecting Horses & Other Animals In Washington, Rensselaer & Saratoga County Which Last Week Had To Euthanize A Horse, Risking The Capital Region’s Critical Equine & Horse Racing Industry

Schumer Calls On Feds To Increase Coordination To Identify & Monitor Mosquitoes, Pushes To Increase CDC “Vector” Funds To Target Mosquito Pools, Educate Public & Beat Back Diseases Endangering Residents

Schumer: Recent Mosquito-Borne EEEV Cases Show Feds Must Boost Efforts To Track & Zap NY’s Mosquito Population To Keep Capital Region Safe

With growing concern for mosquito-borne illness across New York State following the first human death from Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) in nearly a decade, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer today stood at the Glens Falls Hospital and announced his two-pronged push to combat what experts fear is one of the worst mosquito seasons New York State has seen in recent memory.

First, Schumer said he is calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which works in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to ensure coordination and outline a plan for working with New York State and local communities to survey and track mosquitoes. Schumer said it is vital the CDC and EPA make sure communities have the resources they need to deal with the new threats that the mosquito population brings, like the surges in mosquito-borne illnesses we are seeing and could keep seeing into the future if the trend continues. Second, Schumer said he is pushing to surge funding for the CDC’s Vector-Borne Diseases programs, which includes EEEV and West Nile, with $65 million in new funding and is critical especially as we see increases in these diseases due to changing weather.  

“Mosquitoes are buzzing this season, but folks here in the Capital Region have been fearful of more than just an itch. Across New York, we have seen an unsettling spike in cases of EEEV among horses and West Nile Virus, and tragically just last month we had our first death from EEEV in nearly a decade,” said Senator Schumer. “This mosquito season could last well into fall because of all the recent flooding and a very wet summer. Today, I am here to launch a two-pronged push to get the feds to step up efforts to support New York & local officials and surge the resources to zap these bugs and beat back these diseases before they spread.”

Schumer explained the Capital Region has experienced a surge in EEEV and West Nile Virus (WNV) cases, with a horse in Washington County contracting the virus in August and a horse in Saratoga County being euthanized after contracting the virus last week, and the state fears that deadly mosquito-borne diseases may spread to more humans. Schumer said that the increase in cases among horses in the Capital Region is alarming. Two emus in Rensselaer County also died last month from EEEV, highlighting the necessity to boost federal resources to protect humans and animals from the deadly diseases. In addition, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties are home to 6,627 horses as of 2022, and the Capital Region is central to New York State’s $7 billion equine and horse racing industry.

“Here in the Capital Region the equine and horse racing brings in billions every year, and surges in diseases like EEEV are a direct risk to that industry. Across Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties we have over 6,000 horses. It is so important to ensure we are investing in tracking and combatting mosquito-borne illness, otherwise the health of our community and local economy could both be at risk,” added Schumer.

“This is a serious threat and folks who enjoy hiking, hunting, fishing, and all the Adirondacks have to offer need to be aware and take appropriate precautions.  We recently saw a case of mosquito borne viral encephalitis here at Glens Falls Hospital, so we know it is out there. It’s important to note that mosquito borne encephalitis has very similar symptoms to other viruses such as fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches – so watch for differentiating symptoms such as neck stiffness or confusion.  We are grateful for the Senator’s efforts to raise awareness and seek additional funding,” said Sean Bain, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Glens Falls Hospital.

"Ensuring the health of our animals ensures the health of our farmers and agricultural community. Biosecurity and health protections are a prevailing issue for New York Farm Bureau as we work to maintain standards and operations at farms across the state. Animal health and human health are intricately linked, so additional resources to prevent the spread of viruses are not only appreciated – they are critical to New York's equine and greater livestock sectors,” said Deanna Fox, New York Farm Bureau CEO.

EEEV is a rare but nonetheless deadly viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can affect people and horses. A man in Ulster County died after contracting the virus just last month. The NYS DOH has also confirmed the presence of at least eighteen cases of EEEV in horses across twelve Upstate NY counties as well as at least nineteen EEEV-positive mosquito pools. There have been 11 human cases of EEEV in NYS since 1971 and seven of those cases were fatal. Just last week New York State declared an imminent threat to public health for the rise in mosquito-borne illnesses.

Schumer said given this major surge in mosquito activity it is imperative entities like the CDC and EPA engage to help New York State and localities to ensure they have the tools and data they need to keep the public informed and safe, and develop plans to combat spikes like this which often impact multiple states. The funding increase Schumer is pushing for in the VBD program would bolster coordination between academic institutions and state and local health departments to ensure information is getting to the community.

Schumer has also written to the EPA, urging them to work in conjunction with NY state to ensure local governments, public health officials, and healthcare providers have a consistent supply of mosquito control tools and information to protect the public. The increase in funding would allow New York to access additional resources if the season intensifies or lasts longer than expected. For example, Schumer said the CDC in other large mosquito outbreaks in the past has worked closely with states to assist them with mosquito testing for EEEV and West Nile virus and can provide other critical access to data and resources for response to emerging threats.

Schumer explained that the surge in mosquito populations and deadly mosquito-borne viruses like EEEV and WNV also endanger tourism, recreation, quality of life, and more for communities in Warren County, the Capital Region, and all over Upstate NY. Schumer said while there is no commercially available vaccine for EEEV or WNV, the best protection is to prevent mosquito bites and encourages New Yorkers to stay safe and closely monitor public health warnings.

Schumer said, “Prevention is the best way people can protect themselves from exposure to mosquito-borne illness. When you are outdoors, consider wearing clothes to cover your skin and effective mosquito repellent.”

You can find guidance on EEEV surveillance and control here and more information on how individuals can protect themselves here.

You can find a copy of Schumer’s letter to the CDC linked here and EPA here.

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