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Information on Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Animal brown horse

Important Phone Numbers:

If you are a farmer or have pets, your first contact for information should be your veterinarian.

For questions related to human health concerns, please contact your family doctor, or Jefferson County Public Health Services Office at  315-786-3720.

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For any health emergency please dial 9-1-1

August 5, 2020 Press Release from Jefferson County Public Health Services

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The Jefferson County Public Health Service has been notified by the New York State Department
of Health that the 2 horses with pending results from July 30th are positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE, Triple E). To date a total of three horses have tested positive for EEE in the area of Perch Lake. All three horses were exhibiting similar symptoms and were euthanized.
EEE is very rare but serious caused by the bite of a mosquito. Mosquitoes infected with EEE virus (EEEV) can infect people, horses and other mammals, some birds, reptiles and amphibians. About 5-10 EEE human cases are reported each year in the U.S. Five cases of EEE in people in New York State have been reported since 1971. All five cases died. The risk of getting EEE is highest from late July through September. People at the greatest risk of developing severe disease are those over 50 years of age and younger than 15 years of age. There is no specific treatment available for EEE.
JCPHS is working with local, regional and state experts on reducing the risk of EEE. Plans are being developed to conduct aerial spraying of the impacted area and provide education to the community. Aerial spraying is used effectively in many New York State areas. As final plans become available JCPHS will release those details to the public.
Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. Protection measures include:
 Wearing shoes and socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside for a long period.
 Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 is also recommended to prevent mosquito bites. (Do not put the repellent directly onto children. Put it on your hands and apply it to your child. Do not put insect repellent on your face. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors. Follow label directions).
 Repairing screens in your home so mosquitoes can not enter.  Emptying and scrubbing, turning over, covering, or throwing out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers. This eliminates places for mosquitoes to lay eggs.
 Horse owners should speak to their veterinarians about vaccination against EEE.

July 30, 2020 Press Release from Jefferson County Public Health Services

The Jefferson County Public Health Service has been notified by the New York State Department
of Health that a horse, euthanized due to symptoms in the Town of Orleans, was positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE, Triple E). Results are pending for two other horses residing in the same area who were exhibiting similar symptoms and euthanized.


EEE is very rare but serious. Mosquitoes infected with EEE virus (EEEV) can infect people, horses and other mammals, some birds, reptiles and amphibians. About 5-10 EEE human cases are reported each year in the U.S. Five cases of EEE in people in New York State have been reported since 1971. These cases were reported in 1971, 1983, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and occurred in Oswego and Onondaga counties. All five cases died. The risk of getting EEE is highest from late July through September. People at the greatest risk of developing severe disease are those over 50 years of age and younger than 15 years of age. There is no specific treatment available for EEE.
 

Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn. Protection measures include wearing shoes and socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outside for a long period. Applying a mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 is also recommended to prevent mosquito bites. Do not put the repellent directly onto children. Put it on your hands and apply it to your child. Do not put insect repellent on your face. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors. Repair screens in your home. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application.


To keep your yard free from standing water to reduce the mosquito population near your home:


 Throw away outdoor containers, ceramic pots, or containers that hold water
 Remove all tires from your property
 Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors
 Clean clogged rain gutters and make sure they continue to work properly
 Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use
 Change water in bird baths at least every four days
 Clear vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds
 Clean chlorinated swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs
 Drain water from pool covers
 Use landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates


Horse owners should speak to their veterinarians about vaccination against EEE.

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