EEE Confirmed in Ninth South Carolina Horse
The affected horse, a 5-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare from Lexington County, is deceased. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Clemson Livestock and Poultry Health officials have confirmed Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) in the state’s ninth horse for 2020. The affected horse, a 5-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare from Lexington County, is deceased.

Previous EEE cases in South Carolina have occurred in Berkeley, Edgefield, Florence, Horry, and Marion counties. Horry has been hardest hit, with four confirmed cases. Other affected counties have had just one confirmed case each.

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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