Horse in Marion, emus in Levy test positive for virus
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County on Thursday issued a notice that a horse in the county has tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis. The unvaccinated horse was tested Feb. 28, after it showed symptoms of illness.
"People who board animals in or reside around the Citra area should maintain a heightened awareness about the threat of EEE. Residents and visitors are encouraged to get their horses vaccinated for EEE if they are not currently vaccinated. This notice is designed to give public awareness but should not give residents a false sense of security if their area has not been named," stated Public Information Officer Christy Jergens in a news release.
Eastern equine encephalitis is mosquito-borne virus first recognized in humans in 1938. It cycles between mosquitoes and birds in freshwater swampy areas and is capable of infecting mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, the release stated. The disease is 80 to 90 percent fatal in horses and 30 to 45 percent fatal in humans. Symptoms develop three to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The state averages more than 60 reported cases of the virus and one to two human cases annually. This is the first case in Marion County this year.
The department encourages basic precautions to help limit exposure to the virus, including wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts outdoors, use mosquito spray and drain standing water that could attract or breed mosquitoes.
A flock of emus also have been infected with Eastern equine encephalitis in the Bronson area, leading the state health department in Levy County to also issue an alert.
For more information, go to www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/eastern-equine-encephalitis/index.html.