A 23-year-old horse from Fairfield County has become the first case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a domestic animal in Connecticut this year, according to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The unvaccinated gelded horse showed neurological signs of the virus, which is transmitted through mosquito bites and cannot be spread through horse-to-horse or horse-to-human contact. State Veterinarian Erin Masur stressed the importance of EEE vaccinations for horses, as the disease can have a mortality rate of up to 95% in unvaccinated animals.
Officials are ramping up efforts to protect against EEE, with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection spraying the eastern part of Connecticut to reduce mosquito populations. Horse owners are urged to take precautionary steps such as administering vaccines, removing mosquito breeding grounds, and regularly using fly sprays containing pyrethrin.
Increased mosquito activity and virus detections have been reported this year, with EEE-infected mosquitoes found in 11 different towns in Connecticut. While there have been no human cases recorded yet this year, residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves and their animals. If a horse shows neurological signs of EEE, such as hyperexcitability or paralysis, owners are urged to contact a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Visit the Department of Agriculture’s website for more information on protecting against EEE in animals and humans.
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