FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 24, 2006

Eastern Equine encephalitis confirmed in Midlands horse

COLUMBIA – A horse in Lexington County has been confirmed by the Clemson University Veterinary Diagnostic Center as having contracted the mosquito-borne disease Eastern Equine encephalitis, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today.

“West Nile virus often comes to mind when we think of mosquito-borne illness,” said Jerry J. Gibson, M.D., director of DHEC’s Bureau of Disease Control. “However, one of the deadliest diseases that mosquitoes spread is Eastern Equine encephalitis, known as EEE or ‘Triple E.’ The name might imply the disease only affects equines, such as horses, but it can affect humans. We want the public to be aware of steps they can take to protect themselves.”

Dr. Gibson said that after increased rainfall there can be an increase in the numbers of mosquitoes. Some mosquitoes can transmit diseases, including Triple E and West Nile virus. While the risk of exposure can never be eliminated, being vigilant is important in reducing risk.

“It is important to learn how to avoid mosquito bites to reduce our chances of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases, as well as to conduct mosquito prevention and control efforts year-round especially after so much rain.”

South Carolinians can do a number of things to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases:

“We urge homeowners to check their property for low-lying areas and yard items that hold standing water, where mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs,” according to Sue Ferguson of DHEC’s Bureau of Environmental Health. “Residents can reduce mosquito populations by detecting and eliminating breeding sites. Now is a perfect time to look around your yard and neighborhood and eliminate any standing water.

“Mosquito populations can emerge from very small amounts of water if that water is allowed to stagnate. Typical breeding sites involve stagnant water in low areas, drainage ditches, tires, bird baths, buckets, gutters, boats, flower pots and any outdoor containers that can hold water,” Ferguson said. “People should pay particular attention to those areas and keep them dry. It is important to support local municipal and county mosquito prevention and control efforts.”

According to Chris Evans, an entomologist DHEC’s Bureau of Laboratories, citizens can contribute to DHEC’s West Nile virus disease surveillance testing program by properly gathering freshly dead crows and blue jays and delivering them to their local DHEC Environmental Health Office for testing. For guidelines on safely submitting bird samples and to view the testing results, including collaborative data contributed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and Clemson University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Center, visit the Web site at: www.scdhec.gov/westnile.

Vaccines are available to prevent West Nile virus as well as EEE in equines (horses, donkeys and mules). To be effective, each equine vaccine should be administered in the spring and fall because South Carolina’s mosquito season is so long.

“In the last several years, more than 90 percent of the horses diagnosed with EEE and about 40 percent of the horses diagnosed with WNV died or were euthanized,” said Dr. Tony Caver, state veterinarian and director of the Livestock Poultry Health Division of Clemson University. “The best prevention is vaccination.”

What else can you do to reduce the likelihood of contracting a mosquito-borne disease?

For more information or assistance with mosquito control efforts, contact your local municipal or county mosquito control program. For guidelines for safely submitting bird samples and more information on West Nile virus and Triple E, visit: www.scdhec.gov/westnile For updated information about WNV, as well as a list of the recommended mosquito repellants, visit the CDC Web site at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.

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For more information:
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov
or
Thom Berry – (803) 898-3885
E-mail – berrytw@dhec.sc.gov
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