CAMDEN COUNTY, GA – The Camden County Health Department announced Friday that a horse in Waverly tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
EEE is a mosquito-borne virus that causes swelling of the brain and is fatal in horses 70- 90% of the time.
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According to the health department, horse and large animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals against the virus and to clean out watering sources, such as buckets and troughs, every three to four days to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there. The primary mosquito that transmits EEE breeds in freshwater swamps. No human cases of disease have been reported in Georgia this year; however, humans are susceptible to EEE. All residents are also encouraged to use EPA-registered insect repellents containing 20%-30% DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus to protect themselves from mosquitoes and to get rid of standing water around the home and in the yard where mosquitoes can breed.
Remember the 5Ds of mosquito bite prevention can also help prevent mosquito bites and breeding:
• Dusk/Dawn – Avoid dusk and dawn activities during the summer when mosquitoes are most active.
• Dress – Wear loose-fitting, long sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
• DEET – Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing the DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
• Drain - Empty any containers holding standing water - buckets, barrels, flower pots, tarps - because they are breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.
• Doors – Make sure doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly, and fix torn or damaged screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house.
For more information on EEE: http://www.cdc.gov/EasternEquineEncephalitis/