Four cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been found in Wisconsin horses this year, one each in Burnett, Calumet, Marquette, and Monroe counties. EEE is spread through the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus, which mosquitoes can get after biting an infected bird. While horses can’t spread EEE directly to humans or even to mosquitoes that bite them, a case of EEE in a horse confirms that some mosquitoes in the area are infected with the virus and may spread EEE to people and other animals. DHS recommends people use bug repellent, wear long-sleeves and long pants, and employ other measures to avoid mosquito bites.
Rural Reporter