Adult had spent time in area where virus had been found in mosquitos.
A plane sprays for mosquitoes in 2004 as it flies over the Cicero Swamp. Syracuse, N.Y. -- An Onondaga County resident infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis has died, according to the Onondaga County Health Department.
Dr. Cynthia Morrow declined to release any details about the person who had been hospitalized. She said the individual, an adult, had spent time outdoors in an area where the EEE virus had been detected in mosquitoes.
It is the fourth EEE death in New York state over the past 39 cases. All of those cases have involved Central New Yorkers. An Oswego County resident died of EEE last year. The other cases were a 7-year-old Camillus boy who died in 1983 and an Oswego County boy who died in 1971.
Although EEE is rare, it is one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases.
About one-third of people infected with the virus die. Most survivors suffer significant brain damage.
There is no specific treatment for EEE, nor is there a human vaccine.
Public health officials say people can reduce their risk of being infected by using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing and staying.
Weather conditions forced Onondaga County officials Tuesday evening to postpone aerial spraying of Cicero Swamp, a hotbed of EEE activity. The spraying has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, weather permitting.