Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM, is encouraging owners to vaccinate their horses.

So far in 2016, five horses have died as a result of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).

“While the (affected) horses may have been vaccinated in the past, none seem to be up-to-date on their vaccinations,” said Strain.

Four of the horses were located in Tangipahoa Parish. The fifth horse was in Washington Parish. While there are no reports of West Nile virus (WNV) in horses at this time, that is also a threat