A horse in the town of Galen in Wayne County has been diagnosed with the rare but serious viral disease Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), which is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal to humans.
According to the Monroe County Health Department, unvaccinated horses are susceptible to the EEE virus and, if infected, will die from the disease. The death of a horse from EEE suggests there are mosquitoes in Wayne County that transmit the virus, health officials said.
Is there a problem for humans with electrical and electronic devices?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people infected with the Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus do not develop symptoms. However, people of all ages are susceptible to infection, but according to Monroe County health officials, people over 50 and under 15 are most at risk of contracting the virus.
While most people bitten by an infected mosquito do not develop symptoms, severe cases can begin within four to ten days of the mosquito bite with headache, high fever, chills and vomiting. In extreme cases, the disease can lead to disorientation, seizures, encephalitis and coma.
The disease is fatal in about a third of people with severe symptoms.
Due to the proximity to Wayne County, Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown, Monroe County’s acting health officer, urges all residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to seek medical attention if they experience EEE symptoms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, only a few cases are reported in the United States each year, but most of them occur in the eastern states or on the Gulf Coast.
Can EEE be prevented?
Vaccines against EEE and West Nile virus are available for horses, but not for humans. Health authorities therefore say the best protection is to avoid mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn. Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites and protect yourself from possible infection with mosquito-borne disease.
How to avoid mosquito bites?
The health authorities have several tips.
Use insect repellents correctly. The most effective insect repellents contain DEET, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil, but use them with caution. Read the product label and use according to the directions on the package.
Limit outdoor activities in areas where mosquitoes are most active and between dusk and dawn. If you must be outside, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks, weather permitting.
Repair or replace all window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out. Reduce or eliminate standing water. Empty or dispose of buckets, cans, flower pots or similar containers that hold water.
Clean gutters, remove leaves from yards and gardens, and clear pond edges of plants and debris. Turn wheelbarrows and wading pools over when not in use. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs, and drain pool covers. Change the water in birdbaths and horse troughs twice a week.
Properly dispose of old tires or other areas where water collects and where mosquitoes can breed.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other Ontario County communities and writes the food and drink column “Eat, Drink and Be Murphy.” Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
