By By Adrienne McKenzie
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is the recent cause of death of two horses from the Escambia County area, according to the Escambia County Health Department.
Public health environmentalist for Escambia County Jason Gurganus said one horse was from the Atmore area and the other horse was from the Molino, Fla., area and that both were dead upon arrival.
Horse lovers are not the only individuals who should be concerned about this mosquito borne virus, humans are capable of catching the virus also.
"As we move from summer into the fall of the year many people are continuing to enjoy outdoor activities, it is imperative that residents take every effort to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes," Gurganus said. "Keep your mosquito repellent with you at all times when you are working or recreating outdoors."
State veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier said humans and animals are easy targets for this virus because of the increase in population and decrease in available meals for mosquitoes.
"Mosquito populations probably seem constant to most humans, but it is not," Frazier said. "The population fluctuates with habitat as well as water and food sources."
In Baldwin County, one occurrence of a probable human case of EEE and two EEE positive sentinel chicken flocks have been reported. EEE, the West Nile Virus (WNV) and other viruses that are carried by mosquitoes are usually transferred from mosquitoes to birds and birds back to mosquitoes. When bird hosts of these viruses are scarce or if the mosquito population increases, the mosquitoes infected may take blood from mammals. Health officials have said there is no vaccination for EEE available for humans.
"It is reasonable to assume that mosquito borne viruses are likely circulating between mosquitoes and birds in all parts of Escambia County," Escambia County Health Department Environmentalist Casey Grant said. "Everyone should try to avoid exposure to mosquitoes."
The Escambia County Health Department has compiled a list of ways to protect against being bitten by mosquitoes.