BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- Five horses have been infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in St. Lawrence County, prompting county officials to apply for an Imminent Threat to Public Health designation.

According to St. Lawrence County Public Health Director Erin Streiff, the New York State Commissioner of Health initially suggested applying for the designation after the first cases were discovered in Norfolk, Norwood and Brasher.

State steps in

Streiff said she received a call recently from state officials who wished to voice their concerns due to the rising number of cases.

Streiff said the designation will allow the county to be reimbursed through state aid at a higher rate now that the designation has been approved by state officials.

She told legislators during the August 19 services committee meeting that the number of cases was a concern to state officials, noting that five cases in eight days was highly unusual.

Streiff said compared to 2023, the county only saw five cases between July and October of last year.

"So, we saw roughly one case per month last year. Compare that to five in just over a week's time this year...when rates are high enough to affect mammals, that becomes a concern," she said.

What is EEE?

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection that causes encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. It is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with EEE virus (EEEV).

EEEV can also infect a wide range of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The spread of EEEV to mammals (including humans and horses) occurs through the bite of infected mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals, according to New York State Department of Health officials.

Possibility of spraying

Streiff said state officials also recommended spraying to eliminate adult mosquitoes that may transmit the disease to birds and in some cases mammals, however there is no clear cut area to spray to eliminate the disease.

She said the cases have been spread out "in an arc across the northern portion of the county" but noted there was no specific location to spray that county officials were confident would help.

Streiff said state Department of Health officials suggested spraying near Brasher State Forest and Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area.

She said both areas may have significant swamp land that is a breeding ground for mosquitoes that can carry EEE.

"I'm personally not opposed to spraying but want to know that the money being spent on spraying is going to be successful for that sort of investment," she said.

Legislator Glenn Webster commented on the possibility of spraying in trouble areas as well, telling Streiff that Brasher sprays every year to eliminate mosquitoes.

Streiff said she was aware of the spraying conducted by the municipality but said those efforts are centered over populated areas, not swamps and forested areas with standing water.

Horses have no history of travel

Streiff said the five horses infected with EEE have no documented travel. She said the Department of Agriculture and Markets conducted their own investigation into the matter, also finding the horses were not vaccinated against EEE as well.

"I don't know how you sort that out because there's probably no record," Legislator Margaret Haggard said.

Streiff said she encouraged all owners to get their horses vaccinated if they have not been already.

She said immunity may not be built up in the event that a horse were to be bit by an infected mosquito, which was also cause for concern.

Streiff said in the case of horses that become infected, most die "within a matter of a few days, unfortunately."

Fatality rates

Horses are not the only mammals in danger, with humans also being at risk for contracting EEE.

According to Streiff, the state DOH informed her that 11 cases in humans have been reported since 1971.

Though that may not seem significant, Streiff said eight of the 11 infected died shortly after. The remaining three individuals infected all suffered significant neurological damage, she said.

"There is no cure for this," she said.

In an effort to inform the public, Streiff and Public Health Deputy Director Carly Zimmerman said messages have been disseminated through press releases, social media posts and handouts at events like Bassmasters in Waddington.

Streiff said the department would also be reaching out to Amish communities in an effort to help them combat EEE.

She said Public Health encourages all horse owners to ensure their animals are up to date with all vaccinations to limit the spread of the disease and possibility of infection.

Public Health will also work with area veterinarians to spread the word as well, Streiff said.

How to combat EEE

Streiff said mosquito prevention kits are available for free to county residents, with mosquito dunks being one of the better ways to combat the population.

Mosquito dunks are disks about the size of the palm of an individual's hand that help eliminate larvae from hatching in standing water.

Streiff said a single dunk can treat a 10 foot by 10 foot area of water.

She said the Soil and Water Department purchased a significant quantity of the kits to distribute for free to any residents who wish to utilize them in standing water around their properties.

Legislator Rita Curran noted that there would likely be significantly more standing water due to the wet summer and significant flooding the county saw on Aug. 9.

Streiff said the dunks should help cut down on mosquitoes around properties but suggested that spraying may be the only way to ensure larger bodies of water are treated.

She also said insect repellents like Deet would also be helpful, though she understood the negative connotation with the products.

Streiff suggested applying repellents like Deet to clothing to ward off mosquitoes as well.

Mosquito dunks are available in limited quantities at the Public Health Office, located at 80 State Highway 310, Canton.