Oswego County, NY -- A horse in the town of Albion has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), said Oswego County Public Health Director Dr. Dennis Norfleet. Norfleet said this is the second horse to test positive for the disease this year in Oswego County. The first was euthanized. “This indicates that the virus has moved into the north-central part...
Oswego County, NY -- A horse in the town of Albion has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), said Oswego County Public Health Director Dr. Dennis Norfleet.
Norfleet said this is the second horse to test positive for the disease this year in Oswego County. The first was euthanized.
“This indicates that the virus has moved into the north-central part of Oswego County,” Norfleet said. “We also continue to collect positive mosquito pools from the Central Square and Toad Harbor areas. Infected mosquitoes pose a threat to humans and horses. People need to be very careful about limiting their exposure to mosquitoes.”
Norfleet said people should use insect repellents when they are outside, and limit the amount of exposed skin, especially between dusk and dawn. They can reduce the mosquito population around their homes by emptying pails, swimming pool covers, flower pots and other containers of standing water around the home and yard.
Veterinarians recommend horses be vaccinated against EEE. The chance of infection is much lower for EEE-vaccinated horses than for non-vaccinated horses. The symptoms of EEE in horses vary greatly, ranging from barely noticeable to signs such as staggering, blindness, and unconsciousness. In horses showing visible signs of disease, 50 to 90 percent of cases may be fatal.
Minimizing standing water and changing water in horse troughs at least twice a week can help discourage mosquito breeding.
For more information, call the Oswego County Health Department at 349-3564 or visit the state Health Department website at this link.