Eastern Equine Encephalitis In St. Joseph County

Friday August 23, 2019

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has notified the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency that as of August 21st two unvaccinated horses in St. Joseph County have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and both have died.

EEE is an infectious, often fatal disease of horses, humans, and pigs. EEE is transmitted by mosquito vectors. When levels of the circulating virus are high, mammals can become infected when bitten by a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird.

A horse infected with EEE may exhibit behavior that includes; loss of awareness of their surroundings, walk in circles, exhibit muscle paralysis, stupor, lethargy, and incoordination. There is a vaccine that has been proven effective in horses. Horses infected with EEE often do not survive. Should you suspect EEE contact your veterinarian. “Horse owners are reminded to vaccinate their horses to prevent EEE and West Nile Virus which are both mosquito-borne diseases,” states Rebecca Burns, Health Officer for the Community Health Agency.

People can be infected with EEE from the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus. The disease is not spread by horse-to-horse or horse-to-human contact. In humans, signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches. EEE infection can develop into severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma and death may also occur in some cases.

Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites that spread the virus:

• Apply insect repellents containing DEET or EPA-approved products; oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer lasting protection.

• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors or when mosquitoes are active.

• Install or repair screens on windows and doors.

• Know that peak biting hours are from dusk to dawn.

• Vaccinate horses against EEE and West Nile Virus, which is also transmitted by mosquitos

For more information about how to protect yourself from EEE and other mosquito transmitted diseases, visit www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.
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