The Chippewa County Department of Public Health reports that three horses in the county have died from Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).
The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) recently reported the positive test results to the Wisconsin Division of Public Health (WDPH). These are the county's first documented cases of the EEE mosquito-borne disease this year.
"These findings confirm that there are mosquitoes in the area infected with EEE virus. These same mosquitoes could bite people and possibly infect them" said Jean Durch, Health Officer. "Even though it is getting cooler outdoors, Chippewa County residents need to continue to use personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites."
EEE is a viral disease transmitted by a bite of an infected mosquito to humans, horses, birds, and other animals. Mosquitoes acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds. The virus is not transmitted directly between animals or between animals and humans.
The EEE virus may be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito that may cause a rare neurological illness in humans. Only one case of human EEE infection has been reported in Wisconsin since 1984.
Most people infected with EEE virus may not have any symptoms. However, a few people infected with EEE virus may experience symptoms involving encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) that begins with sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, and vomiting. It is important that people contact their health care provider if these symptoms develop because the illness may become severe resulting in disorientation, seizures, coma, or death. There is no specific treatment for this illness.
The Health Department offers these recommendations to avoid mosquito exposure:
- Maintain window screens in good repair to decrease indoor contact with mosquitoes.
- Wear protective clothing such as long pants, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts.
- When outdoors, consider using an effective mosquito repellent (follow instructions). For CDC repellents information, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repellent.htm
- Do not provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes—remove containers, old tires, unused wading pools, old bird bath water, and any objects where water can collect and mosquitoes can lay eggs.
- Trim tall grass, weeds and vines since mosquitoes use these places to rest during hot daylight hours.
- Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure they drain properly.
Durch said the report should serve as a reminder for horse owners to vaccinate their animals.
"This should be part of horse owners' normal vaccine regimen every year." In addition to vaccination, owners can protect their horses by removing standing water and keeping animals inside from dusk to dawn.
EEE symptoms in horses include depression, loss of appetite, drooping eyelids and lower lip, blindness, and paralysis. Fever is not a frequent symptom in horses.