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Horse in Oneida County Tests Postive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

PIXABAY.COM

The Oneida County Health Department reports that a horse in Oneida County has tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), which is caused by the EEE virus.

Several other EEE cases have been reported in counties in northern and western regions of the state.

There have also been two cases of the virus found in humans. Prior to 2020, only three human cases of EEE had been reported in the state between 1964 and 2019.

EEE virus is spread to humans, horses, and other animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Mosquitoes acquire EEE virus by feeding on infected birds. The virus is not spread person to person or directly between animals or between animals and humans. Presence of an EEE positive horse confirms that there are mosquitoes in the area infected with the EEE virus that can spread the virus to people and other animals.

Many people infected with EEE virus do not get sick. Those who do become ill may develop fever,

headache, chills, and vomiting. The illness may become severe resulting in encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), disorientation, seizures, coma, or death. There is no specific vaccine or treatment for EEE illness available for people.

Signs of EEE infection in horses include depression, loss of appetite, drooping eyelids and lower lip,

blindness, paralysis, and death. Horse owners can vaccinate their horses against EEE virusto protect them from becoming ill.

The Oneida County Health Department encourages people to protect themselves from mosquito bites. 

Katie Thoresen is WXPR's News Director/Vice President.
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