A horse in Wayne County has been diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE), a rare but serious mosquito-borne viral disease that can affect both humans and horses.
According to the Monroe County Health Department, the death of a horse from EEE – in the town of Galen – indicates that there are mosquitoes in Wayne County that transmit the EEE virus.
People of all ages are susceptible to infection, but Public Health says those most at risk are those over 50 and under 15. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito don’t develop symptoms, but severe cases can begin with sudden headaches, high fever, chills and vomiting – and in extreme cases, it can lead to disorientation, seizures, encephalitis and coma. For about a third of people with severe symptoms, the infection is fatal.
Monroe County Acting Health Officer Dr. Marielena Velez de Brown urges county residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to seek medical attention if they experience EEE symptoms, as Monroe and Wayne counties border each other. There is no vaccine against EEE for humans.
Vaccines against EEE and West Nile virus are available for horses. Consult your veterinarian for more information.
