Outdoor Party Risk This Weekend In New York State

The unofficial end of the summer of 2024 is approaching and people all over New York State are making their plans for the long, Labor Day weekend. Health officials are reminding you to play it safe this weekend.

Health officials have been monitoring the spread of EEEV in some areas as there are now more cases of West Nile being found in certain counties here in the Empire State.

Officials in Onondaga County are warning residents that both West Nile and EEEV have been found.

What is EEEV? According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC) Eastern equine encephalitis is rare but serious and there are currently no vaccines to stop it.

WEST NILE FOUND IN OSWEGO COUNTY

As the fall approaches, we are still dealing with ideal conditions for mosquitoes. The heat and high humidity are making it easy for mosquito populations to thrive and that is the driving factor in the spread of West Nile.

According to multiple reports, mosquitoes tested positive in both Hastings and Central Square. The county health department recently conducted aerial sprays over Toad Harbor in an attempt to kill off as many mosquitoes as possible.

The CDC outlines West Nile as most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash".

Before the kids head back to school, many people are planning outdoor parties and fun for the Labor Day weekend. Play it safe and protect yourself against mosquitoes and the potentially dangerous West Nile.