With the recent discovery of five additional cases of Eastern equine encephalitis in equids over the Labor Day weekend, the number of confirmed cases for 2020 is more than double the number of cases found by this time last year.

This rise in cases intensifies the need for horse owners to vaccinate their animals and for Michigan residents to take precautions, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S. It can affect both animals and humans. In 2019, Michigan experienced one of the worst outbreaks of EEE ever documented in the state, with 10 human cases — including six deaths — and 50 cases in animals from 20 counties.

While the first case of EEE in 2019 was reported about two weeks earlier than the first case for this year, only eight cases of the disease were confirmed in horses at this point of the year in 2019. For 2020, MDARD has confirmed 18 cases in equids.

In 2019, the cases were found across only three counties: Barry (2), Kalamazoo (3) and St. Joseph (3). This year, cases have been discovered in eight counties: Barry (1), Clare (5), Isabella (1), Kent (1), Mecosta (1), Montcalm (6), Newaygo (2) and Oakland (1). 

“We cannot state this strongly enough: Horse owners and the general public need to take responsible, proactive steps to protect themselves and their animals from mosquito-borne diseases immediately,” state veterinarian Nora Wineland says. “We don’t know if the dramatic increase in EEE equid cases is due to a lapse in vaccinations or a higher prevalence of EEE in Michigan’s mosquito population, but it doesn’t matter. If we ignore what’s happening, we run the risk of losing lives.”

Even though the state is experiencing cooler temperatures, this should not cause horse owners or residents to ease up on precautions. The virus typically is seen in late summer to early fall each year in Michigan. Typically, mosquito-borne illnesses such as EEE will continue to pose a risk to both animals and humans until about mid-October, after there have been at least two hard frosts.

“We strongly urge Michiganders to take precautions against mosquito bites,” says Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “Mosquito-borne diseases can cause long-term health effects in people, even death. Signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches. Severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis and even death can also occur.”

Protect horses

To protect horses and other domestic animals (such as dogs, sheep and goats), measures could include the following:  

Protect family

To protect yourself and your family, here’s what you should do now:

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases.

Source: MDARD, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.