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Second Horse in Waldo County Tests Positive For Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

August 21, 2009
Human Services

The Maine CDC and the Maine Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health and Industry Division announced today that a second horse in Waldo County has died of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

AUGUSTA - The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and the Maine Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health and Industry Division announced today that a second horse in Waldo County has died of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

EEE is a virus that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. The disease was first detected in Maine in 2005 among some horses, mosquitoes, and birds in York County. Last week a horse that had died in Troy was identified with EEE. The horse this week was from Thorndike, about five miles away. It was also not vaccinated.

"These two dead horses with EEE indicate that local mosquitoes are infected, contracting it from birds," said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Director of the Maine CDC. "Since mosquito bites are how EEE is transmitted to humans and horses, it is very important people and horse owners take precautions."

Steps people should consider to protect themselves from EEE include:

  • Using an effective insect repellent on skin and clothing such as DEET or another EPA-registered repellent;
  • Covering up with long-sleeve shirts, pants and socks when outdoors;
  • Placing mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors with infants;
  • Being aware that mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk;
  • Cleaning up unnecessary standing water around the yard to reduce mosquito habitats; and
  • Vaccinating horses.
Although many persons infected with EEE have no apparent illness, those who develop symptoms do so usually 3 to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to encephalitis, coma, and death. The case fatality rate is about one-third. Approximately half of people who have symptoms of EEE will have mild to severe permanent neurological damage. Unlike horses, there is no vaccine available for humans.

The transmission cycle of EEE among birds and mosquitoes is most common in coastal areas and freshwater swamps. Human cases occur relatively infrequently, largely because the primary transmission cycle takes place in swamp areas where human populations tend to be limited. Those people at most risk are:

  • Residents of and visitors to endemic areas, especially near wetlands
  • People who engage in outdoor work and recreational activities
  • Persons over age 50 and younger than age 15 seem to be at greatest risk for developing severe disease
In horses, EEE is a highly fatal disease with mortality approaching 100 percent. Infected horses can exhibit clinical signs of illness within 3-10 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. Clinical signs include unsteadiness, erratic behavior and a marked loss of coordination. There is no effective treatment and seizures resulting in death usually occur within 48-72 hours of an animal's first indications of illness.

"All horse owners should be sure their horses are current on their EEE vaccination, as this is a very effective vaccine," reminded Dr. Don Hoenig, DVM, State Veterinarian.

Maine CDC is working with partners to trap and test mosquitoes in the Troy and Thorndike areas to help determine the scope of the risk. Area Maine CDC staff are also working with community members to inform them of the risks and of their options.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Dora Anne Mills, MD, MPH Phone: (207) 287-3270 Or Don Hoenig, DVM (207) 287-7615

Additional Resources: US CDC "Fight the Bite" Mosquito Website http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/prevention_info.htm Maine CDC EEE Website http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/epi/vector-borne/index.shtml US CDC EEE Website http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/eeefact.htm Maine Department of Agriculture Animal Health Website http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/ahi/index.html

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