NEWPORT — The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has confirmed a second case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a horse this year, marking the first occurrence in Orleans County.
The unvaccinated horse, which has since died, tested positive on October 4. Officials believe the animal likely contracted the disease in mid-September during a period of warmer than normal weather.
This case is significant as Orleans County had not previously been identified as having mosquitoes testing positive for EEE.
EEE, spread through infected mosquito bites, is rare but can cause serious and life-threatening illness in humans and some animals. While the risk decreases as temperatures cool, health officials stress the importance of continued prevention until the first hard frost.
“A hard, or killing frost, is defined meteorologically as two consecutive hours of temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit,” said a spokesperson for the agency. “Although mosquitoes are not killed until a hard frost occurs, they are extremely unlikely to be active when temperatures fall below 50 degrees in the evening.”
Health officials advise Vermonters to:
- Limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors
- Fix holes in screens and remove standing water around homes
Horse owners are urged to consult with veterinarians about proper vaccinations against EEE, West Nile virus, and other insect-borne diseases. Officials note that horses cannot spread these viruses to humans or other horses.
For more information on EEE and prevention measures, visit the Vermont Department of Health website.
