(Town of Lenox, NY – Sept. 2014) A horse in Madison County has died of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, the Madison County Health Department reported last week. The horse had been stabled in Lenox outside the area known to harbor the EEE virus in Madison County. Since Aug. 14, Madison County has had no new mosquito pools test positive for EEE.
A vaccine is available to protect horses from EEE; horses are very vulnerable to EEE if they are not vaccinated. All equine owners, especially those in known EEE areas, are encouraged to vaccinate their horses against EEE annually. An infected horse cannot pass the EEE virus to other animals or people.
The Health Department continues to monitor for EEE in mosquitoes and horse populations as part of our overall disease surveillance activities. Identifying positive cases in animals is another way to identify the continued presence of EEE in our communities.
“The EEE virus likely remains in our environment,” said Madison County Environmental Health Director Geoffrey Snyder. “The best way to prevent EEE is to protect against mosquito bites. While there is a vaccine for horses, there is no vaccine for people. This means it is very important that all residents continue to use personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites through the season, and that we continue to take steps to reduce mosquito breeding grounds near our homes.”
All Madison County residents are encouraged to:
* Continue to limit exposure to mosquitoes between dusk and dawn.
* Change water in bird baths and horse troughs at least twice a week to discourage mosquito breeding.
* Use insect repellents according to label instructions.
* Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt if you are outdoors for long periods of time, and when mosquitoes are most active, between dusk and dawn.
* Replace or repair broken screens.
* Eliminate standing water around the home.
For more information, visit healthymadisoncounty.org or call 315.366.2526.