The New York State Department of Health reported today on the first Nassau County case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse found in Nassau County.

The horse, stabled in Old Brookville, became ill on Wednesday, July 27th, and was confirmed positive on Sunday, July 31st with EEE. This is the first case of EEE in a horse in Nassau County. There has never been a human case of EEE in Nassau County.

The Nassau County Department of Health will contact veterinarians, physicians, hospitals and emergency rooms to alert them to the presence of this virus and to advise they consider the diagnosis in patients and horses with symptoms of encephalitis. Since horse vaccine for EEE is available, horse owners should consult with their veterinarians.

To reduce the mosquito populations, Nassau County plans to aerial spray the surrounding areas with adulticide within the next few days. The Departments of Health and Public Works have greatly increased their mosquito surveillance in the Old Brookville area.

Residents should avoid mosquito bites by employing personal and household protection measures, such as using insect repellent containing DEET, wearing protective clothing, taking precautions from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most likely to bite, and controlling standing water that can provide mosquito breeding sites.

EEE is a rare mosquito-borne viral disease that can occur in humans and horses. The viral illness, transmitted by some species of mosquitoes attacks the central nervous system, causes inflammation of the brain and can be fatal to animals and humans. Wild birds serve as reservoirs for the virus. Mosquitoes bite the birds and then can transmit the virus to humans and animals. EEE is regarded as one of the more serious mosquito-borne disease in the U.S.

For additional information, please call 516-571- 2500.