SCHUMER: WITH UPSTATE NY SEEING MAJOR UPTICK IN DEADLY MOSQUITO-BORNE ILLNESSES, INCLUDING FIRST HUMAN EEEV FATALITY IN NY IN YEARS, & MULTIPLE HORSE CASES IN THE CAPITAL REGION; SENATOR LAUNCHES TWO-PRONGED PUSH TO BOOST COORDINATION WITH FEDS AND INCREASE FUNDS TO BEAT BACK BUG & DISEASES

Press Release

“Mosquitoes are buzzing this season, but folks here in the Capital Region have been fearful of more than just an itch. Across New York, we have seen an unsettling spike in cases of EEEV among horses and West Nile Virus, and tragically just last month we had our first death from EEEV in nearly a decade. This mosquito season could last well into fall because of all the recent flooding and a very wet summer. Today, I am here to launch a two-pronged push to get the feds to step up efforts to support New York & local officials and surge the resources to zap these bugs and beat back these diseases before they spread.

“Here in the Capital Region the equine and horse racing brings in billions every year, and surges in diseases like EEEV are a direct risk to that industry. Across Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties we have over 6,000 horses. It is so important to ensure we are investing in tracking and combatting mosquito-borne illness, otherwise the health of our community and local economy could both be at risk.

“Prevention is the best way people can protect themselves from exposure to mosquito-borne illness. When you are outdoors, consider wearing clothes to cover your skin and effective mosquito repellent.”

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