North Carolina Horses Confirmed With EEE
Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. | Photo: iStock
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDACS) officials have confirmed five horses in three counties with Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE). All affected horses were unvaccinated.

  • Brunswick County—a 4-year-old gelding
  • Columbus County—a yearling colt, an 8-year-old gelding, and a 15-year-old mare
  • Durham County—a 2-year-old of unspecified gender

Brunswick and Columbus counties are adjacent in south-central North Carolina; Durham County lies in the state’s north-central region.

EEE 101

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, for which wild birds are a natural reservoir. Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. Horses do not develop high enough levels of these viruses in their blood to be contagious to other animals or humans. Because of the high mortality rate in horses and humans, EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.

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