ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Eastern equine encephalitis, also called EEE, can cause severe health problems in those infected, according to the New York State Department of Health.

Health experts say that horses are often hosts for the EEE virus. Mosquitos bite the horses, become infected and then can spread it to humans. 

What You Need To Know

  •  One man in New Hampshire died from EEE, a mosquito borne virus

  •  Symptoms often appear cold or flu like in people with EEE

  • Wear layers and use repellent for protection against mosquitos 

As people make plans to soak up the rest of summer, the DOH says this virus is something it’s keeping in mind. 

Rochester native Judy Debs and her husband Paul are paying attention, as EEE cases continue to rise. As the couple heads into the long weekend, Judy says her plans are staying the same.

“I read about it in the paper, I heard about it on the news”, said Debes. “It doesn’t change how we’re outside or how we’re out walking.”

Experts at the state health department say horses are often hosts for the EEE virus.

“What happens when a horse dies, you know, there are mammal-biting mosquitos. We humans are mammals. That indicates that there are mammal-biting mosquitoes that might be positive,” said Bryon Backenson, of the state Department of Health.

EEE has been around since the 1970s and cases are usually rare. The concern this year is that we’re seeing cases earlier in the summer. Typically, EEE and West Nile don't appear until September.

Even though cases are rare, EEE can lead to serious illness.

“It can cause encephalitis, meningitis, swelling of brain [and] swelling of the lining of the brain," said Backenson. "It can be really severe in some individuals, EEE much more so than West Nile."

There is no cure or vaccine against EEE. Symptoms often appear cold- or flu-like in people. Backenson says the health department is advising health care providers to test for the EEE virus in people.

Backenson recommends that when people spend time outside, they follow something he calls the "layer method."

“You’re building layers. If you wear long sleeves and long pants, that’s one layer. If you use repellents, that’s another layer. If you try to stay away from areas with large amounts of mosquitos, that’s another layer,” said Backenson.

Experts say that even if you’re in an area that’s been sprayed for mosquitoes, it’s still a good idea to wear layers or use repellent. Sprays with deet or eucalyptus and lemon oil tend to work best.

It's also recommended that people avoid standing water and stay indoors during times when mosquitos are most active, like dawn and dusk. 

Backenson says EEE will still be a concern for about a month, until cooler fall weather approaches.