BARRY COUNTY, MI – A horse has died from from the mosquito-borne disease Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Barry County, health officials say.
The Barry-Eaton District Health Department was notified of the horse’s death on Thursday, Sept. 3, according to a news release issued Friday by the health department. This is the first confirmed animal case of EEE in Barry County this year, further expanding the geographic area where EEE has been found.
Health officials have not confirmed any other animal or human cases of the disease in Barry or Eaton County at this time.
The horse in Barry County marks the 13th confirmed case of EEE in horses across five Michigan counties to date. So far, horses with EEE have been identified in Clare, Kent, Newaygo and Montcalm counties.
Health officials said people living in or visiting Barry or Eaton counties should take precautions against mosquito bites because of the prevalence of EEE-carrying mosquitoes this time of year. The mosquito-borne disease cannot be spread between animals or between animals and humans, but humans can get EEE through the bite of an infected mosquito, health officials said.
Most cases of EEE in humans do not cause any symptoms, health officials said. Less than 1% of humans with EEE develop serious illness, but more serious illness can cause swelling of the brain, according to the release.
Anyone can be affected by EEE, but people over the age of 60 and under age 15 are at greatest risk for developing more severe symptoms, the release said.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends that people get their domestic horses vaccinated. Horse owners can report symptoms of EEE in their horses here.
Health officials suggested anyone planning to spend time outdoors take the following precautions:
- Avoiding being outdoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes that carry the EEE virus are most active.
- Applying insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, or other U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered product to exposed skin or clothing, and always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
- Maintaining window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
- Emptying water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires or similar sites where mosquitoes may lay eggs.
- Using nets and/or fans over outdoor eating areas.
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