LANSING, MI (WTVB) – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is reporting Michigan’s first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) for 2022 in a three-year-old Standardbred filly from St. Joseph County.
The department says this discovery underscores the need for both horse owners and Michigan residents to take precautions.
Last year, Michigan experienced nine cases of EEE in horses and one human case.
State Veterinarian Nora Wineland says, “the St. Joseph County horse was never vaccinated against EEE and it developed signs of illness—including fever and ataxia—which progressed to the animal exhibiting neurologic signs and being down on the ground with an inability to get up. The horse later succumbed to the disease.
Wineland went on to say, ”It is critically important for horse owners to reach out to their veterinarian to discuss how to best protect their animals from EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases.”
Overall, EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses will continue to pose a risk to both animals and humans until temperatures consistently fall below freezing.
For more information about EEE, please visit michigan.gov/eee.
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