MI's 1st Case Of Mosquito-Borne EEE Virus Confirmed

MICHIGAN — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed on Thursday Michigan’s first 2021 case of Eastern equine encephalitis, a deadly mosquito-borne virus that affects horses.

State Veterinarian Nora Wineland confirmed the case was found in a 2-year-old horse from Livingston County, she said in a news release.

"The Livingston County horse was never vaccinated against EEE, and it developed signs of illness— including fever, lethargy, and depression — which progressed to the animal exhibiting neurologic signs and being down on the ground with an inability to get up," Wineland said. “It is critically important for horse owners to reach out to their veterinarian to discuss how to best protect their animals from this disease.”

The virus carries a 90 percent fatality rate among horses that become ill, making it one of the deadliest viruses for animals, especially horses. Humans can be affected as well: It has a 33 percent fatality rate among humans who become ill, according to the department.

It is transmitted only from mosquito bites and not from horse to horse or human to human, the department said. To protect yourself and animals from mosquitos, the department encouraged using insect repellent, removing standing water and placing horses in barns under fans.

The virus is typically seen in late summer to early fall before it subsides in late fall when nighttime temperatures consistently fall below freezing.

Last year, Michigan saw 41 cases of Eastern equine encephalitis in animals and four cases in humans, the department said.