Eastern Equine Encephalitis found in Gulf County

Health officials in Gulf County have confirmed a case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a horse in that county.

The Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus involves birds and a specific type of mosquito, Culiseta melanura, which lives in marshes and swamps.

These mosquitoes feed only on birds; they do not feed on humans and other mammals.

In rare cases, however, the virus can escape from its marsh habitat in other mosquitoes that do feed on both birds and mammals (including horses and humans). 

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Infection can cause a range of illnesses.

Most people have no symptoms; others get only a mild flu-like illness with fever, headache, and sore throat. 

More severe symptoms can occur for people with infection of the central nervous system.

People under the age of 15 or over 50 are at greatest risk for severe disease. 

The best way to prevent exposure of people and animals to the disease as well as others carried by mosquitoes like West Nile is to simply avoid exposure to mosquitoes, especially at dawn and in the early evening when mosquitoes are most active.

Long pants and long sleeved shirts can help protect you, as can removing any standing water from your property.

Mosquito repellants with DEET are also effective in protecting against mosquito bites.

You can also minimize the effects of mosquitoes by removing their breeding areas.

Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, so you can make it harder on them by removing all sources of standing water from your property.

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