Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. | Photo: iStock

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) officials confirmed Nov. 1 that a 6-year-old Quarter Horse gelding from Leelanau County tested positive for Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE). The horse first experienced a sudden onset of neurologic signs, including ataxia (loss of control of body movements), depression, recumbency (down and unable to rise), on Oct. 1. He had reportedly been vaccinated against EEE, but the vaccination had expired. He was euthanized Oct. 2.

MDARD records dating to 1942 indicate this is the first recorded equine case of EEE from Leelanau County.

Michigan’s 2019 equine EEE cases now total 29 from 14 counties: one from Allegan, two from Barry, one from Calhoun, two from Cass, four from Jackson, six from Kalamazoo, one from Kent, one from Lapeer, one from Leelanau, one from Livingston, one from Montcalm, one from Newaygo, six from St. Joseph, and one from Tuscola