Three horses in Alabama recently tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). The horses are located in Covington and Geneva counties. 

In Covington County, the Alabama Department of Agriculture reported two positive cases of EEE on August 3. The status of the affected horses is unknown. 

In Geneva County, a 7-year-old mare tested positive on August 1 after developing clinical signs on July 20, including depression, fever, lethargy, ataxia and head pressing. She was euthanized. 

EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.

EEE 101

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, for which wild birds are a natural reservoir. Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses and other birds. Horses do not develop high enough levels of these viruses in their blood to be contagious to other animals or humans. Because of the high mortality rate in horses and humans, EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.

Tips for preventing mosquito-borne diseases include:

• Avoid mosquito bites: Use insect repellent when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn.
• Look for EPA-labeled products containing active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin (KBR3023) or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane 3,8-diol).
• Apply more repellent, according to label instructions, if mosquitoes start to bite.
• Mosquito-proof homes: Fix or install window and door screens, and cover or eliminate empty containers with standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
• Protect your horses: Veterinarians recommend commercially available licensed vaccines against EEE for all horses in the U.S. Horses should be vaccinated at least annually (recommendations vary in high-risk areas). It’s not too late this year to vaccinate your horses.
• Use approved insect repellents to protect horses.
• If possible, put horses in stables, stalls or barns during the prime mosquito exposure hours of dusk and dawn.
• Eliminate standing water, drain water troughs and empty buckets at least weekly.
• Stock water tanks with fish that consume mosquito larvae (contact your local mosquito control for assistance), or use mosquito “dunks” (solid “donuts” of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, which are nontoxic to horses) available at hardware stores.