HAUPPAUGE - The New York State Department of Health has issued a public health threat alert for Suffolk County after finding three mosquito samples in the town of Riverhead that tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a rare but dangerous virus to humans and horses.  The mosquito samples were collected between August 5 and August 26, 2008.  All of the samples were collected in the Town of Riverhead; however, the public health threat applies to all of Suffolk County.  EEE is a rare but serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can affect people and horses.  While there have never been human cases of EEE in Suffolk County, there have been two human cases of EEE infection elsewhere in New York State, one in 1971 and one in 1983; both were fatal.  EEE has been detected in horses, birds and mosquitoes in New York State during the past five years.  EEE can affect the central nervous system and can cause severe complications and death.  There is no specific treatment for EEE.

The declaration of a public health threat by New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines enables the Suffolk County Department of Health Services and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to work together expeditiously to control mosquito populations in DEC-controlled wetlands.  Suffolk County’s Health Department has already been actively involved in mosquito surveillance and control in areas throughout Suffolk County and those efforts will now be broadened.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus can cause a range of clinical signs and symptoms, from mild to severe illness.  Some people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop any symptoms; others will get only mild flu-like illness with fever, headache and fatigue.  In about half of cases, infection of the central nervous system occurs, causing sudden fever, headache, confusion, seizures, and swelling of the brain.