Health
New York resident dies from mosquito-borne disease as experts warn of widening risk
New York has reported the state’s first death from Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a disease that spreads through bites from mosquitoes.
The patient was the first person to contract EEE in New York since 2015, according to a press release issued by the state on Monday.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority,” Governor Hochul said in a statement.
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“Following the first confirmed human case of EEE, my administration took statewide action to help protect communities – and with today’s declaration, we’re making more state resources available to local departments to support their public health response.”
New York has reported the state’s first death from Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a disease that spreads through bites from mosquitoes. (iStock)
“We’ve been informed this patient has passed away from EEE; we extend our sympathies and our hearts go out to their family.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald has declared EEE an imminent threat to public health, which will make more resources available for prevention measures, such as spraying to reduce mosquitoes.
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The state has announced plans to expand access to insect repellent in parks and campgrounds, and is encouraging New York residents to take steps to protect against mosquito-borne illness.
What is EEE?
Eastern equine encephalitis is caused by a virus that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which describes EEE as a “rare but serious disease.”
Only a few cases are reported in the U.S. each year, most in the Eastern or Gulf Coast states, the agency states on its website.
Some Northeastern towns have enacted voluntary lockdowns due to the rise in EEE cases. (iStock)
Humans and other animals that contract the virus are considered “dead-end hosts,” the CDC states, which means they can’t spread it to mosquitoes that bite them.
“EEE is only spread to humans via a mosquito bite, and cannot be transmitted directly by other humans or horses,” Dr. Kurt Vandock, PhD, a public health expert and VP of strategic growth for Mosquito Squad, told Fox News Digital.
The patient was the first person to contract EEE in New York since 2015.
Common symptoms of EEE include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness.
These usually appear five to 10 days after being bitten.
“Most people have no symptoms; others get only a mild, flu-like illness with fever, headache and sore throat,” Vandock said.
Using insect repellents that contain DEET can help to protect against mosquito bites, experts say. (iStock)
“For people with an infection of the central nervous system, a sudden fever (103º to 106º), severe headache and stiff neck can be followed quickly by seizures and coma.”
The disease can be deadly, resulting in fatalities for 30% of infected people. It can also lead to chronic neurological deficiencies, per the CDC.
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“The best way to confirm any illness is with an approved and accurate test administered by a medical professional,” said Vandock.
“Eastern equine encephalitis is a serious disease with symptoms occurring fast,” he warned.
“If you live in an area with noted EEE activity and have flu-like symptoms after being bitten by a mosquito, you should seek medical care immediately.”
Concerns of wider infection
In addition to New York, other states that have reported human EEE cases include Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and New Hampshire.
“Anytime life is put at risk by vector-borne disease, we are concerned,” Vandock said.
“As viral loads increase and transmission rates follow this trend, it is a sign that interventions are necessary to help reduce the risk of transmission,” he went on.
Common symptoms of EEE include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness. (iStock)
“One case of any vector-borne disease is one too many.”
As far as why cases have been more prevalent in northeastern states, Vandock said there’s no simple answer.
“Conducive weather patterns, high population density, the heavy presence of the primary vector and seasonality — coinciding with increased outdoor activity — can create the perfect storm for rapid transmission,” he said.
“One case of any vector-borne disease is one too many.”
The black-tailed mosquito (Culiseta melanura), the primary vector of EEE, can be found in large numbers in the Northeastern United States, according to Vandock.
“It is known to feed mainly on birds, but does not typically feed on humans,” he said. “As a result, the transmission of EEE to humans and horses is generally thought to occur via ‘bridge vectors,’ which contract the virus from infected birds and can then pass the virus on to other hosts.”
The mosquitoes that act as “bridge vectors” can be found in the Northeast areas where transmission is occurring, the expert noted.
The risk of contracting the EEE virus is highest during the summer months — especially toward the end of summer, when people go back outdoors as temperatures cool, Vandock said.
The mosquitoes that act as “bridge vectors” can be found in the Northeast areas where transmission is occurring, an expert noted. (iStock)
“Anyone who lives or works close to wetlands and swamps is also at an increased risk,” he said.
The Midwest saw a similar outbreak of EEE in 2019 in Michigan, Vandock noted, as many schools canceled after-school activities after numerous fatalities from the disease.
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“Current trends suggest that with increasing globalization, population densities, ranges of competent hosts and a favorable climate, the occurrence of EEE and other vector-borne diseases will increase,” he added.
Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, said he is not concerned by the increase in cases.
“It is still a very slight uptick, and it is confined to mosquito transmission,” he told Fox News Digital, adding that he only anticipates “sparse cases” in other parts of the country.
Treatment and prevention
There is currently no vaccine for Eastern equine encephalitis, and supportive care is the only means of treating symptoms.
A mosquito control inspector sprays pesticide to kill mosquitos amid a Zika virus outbreak in Miami, Florida, in 2016. (Getty Images)
Educating the public about the risk, encouraging mosquito repellent use, and spraying to control the mosquito population are the best ways to prevent infection, according to experts.
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The state of New York issued the following recommendations for prevention.
- Wear long sleeves, pants and socks when outdoors during periods of high mosquito activity, such as dusk or dawn.
- Use insect repellents that contain DEET.
- Ensure that there are screens in all windows and doors.
- Eliminate standing water in outdoor areas where mosquitoes tend to breed.
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A highly contagious digestive virus is surging across the U.S., experts warn.
Rotavirus, a double-stranded RNA virus, causes acute gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines — which can lead to severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain.
The virus primarily affects infants and young children, but there have also been outbreaks in elderly populations, such as nursing homes.
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Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in the week ending April 4, out of 2,329 rotavirus tests, 7.3% were positive for the infection. Last year’s highest infection rate was 6.77% as of the week ending April 19.
Rotavirus, a double-stranded RNA virus, causes acute gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines — which can lead to severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain. (iStock)
“We’re seeing a lot of rotavirus in the wastewater right now,” Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, confirmed to Fox News Digital. “Testing for rotavirus is way down, but the percentage of positive tests is up.”
While the virus typically peaks in the spring, it is not currently slowing down, he noted.
Why cases may be rising
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, M.D., a medical editor at GoodRx who is based in California, said there are several possible reasons for the rotavirus spike.
“Vaccine rates are down overall among young children, as they decreased during COVID,” she told Fox News Digital. “This means there’s a growing number of infants and young children who are vulnerable to infection.”
The rotavirus vaccine series must be completed by the time a child is 8 months old, she noted.
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As a result of the declining vaccinations, herd immunity isn’t protecting vulnerable children, according to Pinto-Garcia. “Children who haven’t finished the vaccine series yet, are too young to get vaccinated, or can’t get the vaccine due to medical illness are more likely to get exposed to the illness because other children aren’t vaccinated,” she said.
Siegel noted that before the vaccine became available, rotavirus resulted in 55,000 to 70,000 in the U.S. per year.
“Vaccine rates are down overall among young children, as they decreased during COVID,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. “This means there’s a growing number of infants and young children who are vulnerable to infection.” (iStock)
“I am concerned that the vaccination rate has been declining over the past seven years and is continuing to decline in the current climate of vaccine skepticism,” he said.
Surveillance methods are also much better than they used to be, Pinto-Garcia noted, which means public health experts are able to pick up and track cases better than ever before.
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“But we see that rotavirus-related healthcare visits are also up, so improved detection is not the only reason we are seeing this spike,” she said.
The COVID pandemic also disrupted the pattern of infections, according to Pinto-Garcia, so it’s “tricky” to compare the current levels against older cycles.
“It’s possible that what we are seeing is still some post-pandemic rebound, but it’s unlikely that this year’s pattern is fully explained by just this factor,” she added.
Transmission and risk
Dr. Zachary Hoy, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group based in Nashville, Tennessee, often sees young patients with rotavirus.
“Rotavirus is spread via the fecal-oral route, meaning that a person comes into contact with virus droplets from contact with other children or adults, or from contact with objects such as toys that have been contaminated with the virus from someone who is sick,” he told Fox News Digital. “This can lead to outbreaks, especially at schools where many young children share the same toys.”
“It’s possible that what we are seeing is still some post-pandemic rebound, but it’s unlikely that this year’s pattern is fully explained by just this factor.”
Rotavirus is associated with many dehydration cases in the hospital due to the degree of diarrhea, according to Hoy.
In some severe cases, the virus can lead to seizures due to electrolyte imbalances from dehydration and loss of electrolytes in the stool.
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“Younger children do not have the reserves that older children and adults have, so they can become more dehydrated quicker and develop more severe electrolyte imbalances, leading to more severe infections,” Hoy said.
“Patients with problems with their immune systems or on medications that can decrease their immune systems can have more severe and prolonged infections, too.”
Treatment and care
Because rotavirus is a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective against it. There is no specific antiviral treatment for the condition, with doctors typically recommending supportive care.
“The mainstay of treatment is hospitalization for rehydration via intravenous (IV) fluids,” Hoy told Fox News Digital. “Sometimes it can take up to two to three days of IV fluids to help get patients rehydrated.”
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Blood draws are often necessary to evaluate patients’ electrolyte levels, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, according to the doctor.
“If these electrolyte levels are significantly low, sometimes patients need special IV solutions or individual electrolyte medications,” he added.
“The mainstay of treatment is hospitalization for rehydration via intravenous (IV) fluids,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
Dr. Daniel Park, medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, noted that most children recover with supportive care, but parents should seek medical attention if a child shows signs of dehydration. Those include decreased urination, lethargy or inability to keep fluids down.
“While rare, rotavirus can be life-threatening in vulnerable populations, especially very young infants or children with underlying medical conditions,” Park told Fox News Digital.
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Prevention strategies
Given the lack of antiviral medications for rotavirus, doctors emphasize the importance of prevention, primarily the vaccine.
There are two rotavirus vaccines – Rotateq (a three-dose series) and Rotarix (a two-dose series). They are given starting at age 2 months as oral drops, not injections, according to Hoy.
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“It’s important to get the rotavirus vaccines on schedule, because these younger infants are at greatest risk if they get rotavirus,” he advised.
Other recommended prevention methods include handwashing with soap and water.
Every day we’re faced with a zillion small choices: Go to sleep early, or watch one more episode of that Netflix drama. Call an old friend to catch up, or cruise social media. Of course, no single action will guarantee a long, healthy life or doom you to an early grave. But those little daily decisions do add up, and over the long term they can make a difference when it comes to both your longevity and your health span, the amount of life spent in relatively good health.
Scroll through this theoretical “day in the life” and select the option that best fits your typical day. Not every situation will apply perfectly, but think about which choice you’d be most likely to make. This isn’t a formal scientific assessment. The goal here isn’t to assign you a “good” or “bad” score, but to help you understand the central factors that shape the way we age and how long we live.
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A study from Harvard Medical School indicates natural selection has favored the red hair gene, resulting in a potential increase in the number of redheaded people as humanity continues to evolve.
By analyzing nearly 16,000 ancient genomes spanning 10,000 years, researchers identified a list of traits that nature is actively pushing forward. Among the most prominent were the genetic variants for red hair.
“Perhaps having red hair was beneficial 4,000 years ago, or perhaps it came along for the ride with a more important trait,” the authors noted.
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The study, published in the journal Nature, relied on a large database of ancient DNA from West Eurasia. Using new computing methods, the team was able to filter out random fluctuations in DNA to identify what it called “directional selection.”
Directional selection happens when a particular version of a gene gives an organism a strong survival or reproductive advantage, causing it to become more common in a population faster than it would by chance, according to experts.
Directional selection is when a specific gene provides such significant benefits that it rises in frequency across a population much faster than random chance. (iStock)
Prior to this study, scientists only knew of about 21 such instances in human history, one of which was lactose tolerance. This new research uncovered hundreds more.
“With these new techniques and a large amount of ancient genomic data, we can now watch how selection shaped biology in real time,” Ali Akbari, first author of the study and senior staff scientist in the lab of Harvard geneticist David Reich, said in a press release.
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The data showed that genetic markers for red hair are among 479 gene variants that have been strongly favored over the past 10,000 years. One likely explanation, the researchers said, is a major shift in human history: the transition to farming.
Scientists have long pointed to vitamin D synthesis as a likely driver for the rise of traits like fair skin and light hair. (iStock)
As humans moved away from hunting and gathering and settled into agricultural societies, their environment and behavior changed radically, triggering an evolutionary “acceleration.”
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While the Harvard study provides the first definitive statistical proof that red hair was actively selected during the rise of farming, the researchers noted that the exact prehistoric benefit still requires more study.
However, scientists have long pointed to vitamin D synthesis as a likely driver for the rise of these light-pigmented traits in northern climates.
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While redheads remain a minority of the global population today, the Harvard study’s analysis suggests that they may not be an evolutionary accident.
While redheads remain a minority of the global population today, the Harvard study’s analysis suggests they may not be an evolutionary accident. (iStock)
Instead, the red hair trait was “boosted” by natural selection as humans adapted to the challenges of a modern world, according to the researchers.
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The researchers urged caution in how these findings are interpreted.
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“What a variant is associated with now is not necessarily why an allele propagated,” the authors noted.
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