Horse in Franklin County tests positive for EEE

FILE – This 2014 photo made available by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a feeding female Anopheles gambiae mosquito. The species is a known vector for the parasitic disease malaria. The United States has seen five cases of malaria spread by mosquitos in the last two months…the first time there’s been local spread in 20 years. There were four cases detected in Florida and one in Texas, according to a health alert issued Monday, June 26, 2023, by the CDC. (James Gathany/CDC via AP, File)

by: Dan Mount

Posted: Aug 17, 2023 / 03:43 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 17, 2023 / 03:43 PM EDT

MALONE, N.Y. (WWTI) – The Franklin County Public Health Department has been notified that a horse in the Moria area has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE, triple E) virus. The news was made public in press release on Wednesday, August 16.

The EEE virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can infect people, horses and other mammals, some birds, reptiles and amphibians. This very rare, but serious virus can cause inflammation of the brain, also known as encephalitis.

About 5-10 EEE human cases are reported each year in the U.S. In New York State, there have been 8 human disease cases between 2003-2022. These cases occurred in Oswego and Onondaga counties.

There was a reported case of EEE in St. Lawrence County earlier this month in the Brier Hill area. A horse in the Lewis County Town of Greig tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The virus can cause various symptoms, such as fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, drowsiness, or coma. If you’re under 15 or over 50, you’re more likely to develop a severe form of EEE.

The best way to protect yourself against EEE is protect yourself against mosquito bites. This is more likely to happen from July until September. For more information on EEE, call the Franklin County Public Health Department at 518-481-1710.