Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2008/5/8/horses_die_from_mosquitoborne_illness.html
Horses Die From Mosquito-Borne Illness
Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:37:39 AM
In Volusia County, several horses and chickens have died because of a deadly mosquito-borne illness.
The health department is reminding the public of a health advisory it issued in February for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
So far this year, seven horses and two chickens have died because of EEE. Two more horses have shown signs of EEE.
While no people have been diagnosed, health workers are reminding residents and tourists they need to be very careful because the disease is deadly for people, too.
Volusia County uses four dozen sentinel chickens to track the movement of the virus. The sentinel chickens are placed in coops all over the county. Once a week the chickens blood is tested for antibodies. If the EEE is found in the chickens, they take a look at horses in the area to look for any symptoms of the disease.
If a horse contracts EEE, it is usually deadly. If a human comes in contact with it, it can be deadly in about one-third of all cases.
Humans can protect themselves by remembering the 4-Ds of avoiding mosquitoes:
* Dawn, Dusk: These are the times of day when mosquitoes are the most active.
* Dress: Wear longsleeved shirts and long pants to protect yourself against the mosquito's bite.
* DEET: A mosquito repellent with DEET will help ward off mosquitoes. A product with 23.8 percent DEET will provide an average of five hours of protection. Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus have also been shown to offer long-lasting protection against mosquitoes.
* Drainage: Walk around your home and get rid of any standing water
Horses Die From Mosquito-Borne Illness
Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:37:39 AM
In Volusia County, several horses and chickens have died because of a deadly mosquito-borne illness.
The health department is reminding the public of a health advisory it issued in February for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
So far this year, seven horses and two chickens have died because of EEE. Two more horses have shown signs of EEE.
While no people have been diagnosed, health workers are reminding residents and tourists they need to be very careful because the disease is deadly for people, too.
Volusia County uses four dozen sentinel chickens to track the movement of the virus. The sentinel chickens are placed in coops all over the county. Once a week the chickens blood is tested for antibodies. If the EEE is found in the chickens, they take a look at horses in the area to look for any symptoms of the disease.
If a horse contracts EEE, it is usually deadly. If a human comes in contact with it, it can be deadly in about one-third of all cases.
Humans can protect themselves by remembering the 4-Ds of avoiding mosquitoes:
* Dawn, Dusk: These are the times of day when mosquitoes are the most active.
* Dress: Wear longsleeved shirts and long pants to protect yourself against the mosquito's bite.
* DEET: A mosquito repellent with DEET will help ward off mosquitoes. A product with 23.8 percent DEET will provide an average of five hours of protection. Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus have also been shown to offer long-lasting protection against mosquitoes.
* Drainage: Walk around your home and get rid of any standing water