Two emus die from EEE virus in Rensselaer County

NASSAU, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Rensselaer County Department of Health (RCDOH) announced on Friday that two emus in Nassau died earlier this week from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The diagnosis was confirmed in test results conducted by Cornell University.

The rare infection is spread only through the direct bite of an infected mosquito and causes encephalitis, which is the inflammation of the brain. Officials stated that the two emus did not travel outside of Rensselaer County.

The RCDOH says that EEE can infect both humans and animals, though dogs and cats have a low chance of contracting the virus. People over 50 and younger than 15 are at the greatest risk of developing severe cases.

Early symptoms include headaches, high fever, chills and vomiting, which can advance into confusion, seizures and even coma. Symptoms typically appear four to 10 days after being bitten, but people who are infected may not develop symptoms at all.

According to the RCDOH, EEE is fatal for about one-third of patients who contract it, and many survivors can suffer mild to severe brain damage. Maryfran Wachunas, the Rensselaer County Public Health Director, said that the virus could remain active in the environment until the first hard frost of the season.

Officials recommend that people protect themselves by using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants when outside. Residents can also prevent mosquitos from being attracted to their homes by clearing all nearby standing water, disposing of garbage and lawn debris, clearing out gutters and wheelbarrows, and cleaning out and maintaining pools, saunas, hot tubs, bird baths, and animal troughs.

RCDOH stated it will continue to monitor the situation and will update the public as developments occur. The department will also be working in tandem with the New York State Department of Health. Anyone with questions can call the RCDOH at (518)270-2655.