Wood County Horse Tests Positive for EEE
Friday, November 4th, 2016 -- 8:03 AM
(Mike Warren, WDLB) -The Wood County Health Department says a horse has tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis.The state department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reported the case to the state health department yesterday. The E-E-E virus is transmitted to humans, horses and other animals by infected mosquitos, who feed on infected birds. There have been no human cases in Wisconsin since 2011.
Cases of encephalitis normally don’t appear this late in the year, but with mild weather hanging on, reports of new cases are still coming in. The arrival of cold weather will eliminate mosquitos, but until that happens, state health officials are urging people to reduce exposure to mosquitos, and to eliminate potential breeding sites, like bird baths and feeders, ceramic pots or old tires that might be holding rain water. Residents are also urged to clean out roof gutters and down-spouts, turn over wading pools, wheelbarrows or boats, and trim tall grass and weeds as well.
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