Efforts to Fight N.Y. Encephalitis Outbreak Stalled

Rain and fog frustrated efforts Friday to battle a deadly encephalitis outbreak attributed to diseased mosquitoes.

The outbreak has killed three people and for the first time may have moved into Manhattan, health officials said.

The bad weather grounded an airplane and two of three helicopters prepared to douse sections of the city with insecticide.

Its plans for a massive aerial spraying blocked, the city resorted to ground spraying in areas of Brooklyn and limited helicopter spraying in Queens on Friday.

“The planes and helicopters will be coming Saturday and will be ready to go up Saturday evening,” said Jerome Hauer, the director of the city’s Office of Emergency Management.

There have been nine confirmed cases of the disease in the city. Eight are in northeast Queens and one is in Brooklyn.

Additionally, health officials have identified 62 other possible cases of the St. Louis encephalitis strain, including one in Manhattan.

The three fatalities were senior citizens, who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.

While no new cases of St. Louis encephalitis have been confirmed in New York City in the last two days, health officials on Long Island and in Westchester County have reported several suspected cases and are awaiting test results.

Symptoms include fever, headaches and lethargy. Severe cases can cause seizures and paralysis.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged President Clinton to sign an executive order to free funds in order to help the city contain the outbreak. He said the effort could cost more than $6 million.