Ocala.com, the web site for the horsey metropolis of Ocala, Florida and environs, is reporting that the first horse in Marion County for 2007 has been diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), the mosquito-borne disease that is a serious threat to humans as well as to horses.

Florida already has four cases this year; the state is traditionally the worst-affected in the nation. EEE is one of the most common vaccines given to horses, but the disease is carried by mosquitoes and is not spread from horse to horse.

It’s interesting to note that Florida has not reported a horse with West Nile Virus since 2005.

For more information about EEE in Florida, the state has published an information sheet for horse owners.