Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but potentially serious infection that is spread by bites from infected mosquitos. It can cause brain inflammation (encephalitis) and be fatal to humans and animals. The virus cannot be spread from person to person, or from animal to person.Recent outbreaks of equine encephalitis highlight the urgent need for effective mosquito control measures on farms. This disease is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, with the black-tailed mosquito, Culiseta melanura, serving as a significant vector. Found from the Midwest to the East Coast, Culiseta melanura typically produces two generations per summer. The virus is maintained through a natural cycle involving birds and mosquitoes, but other mosquito species can also transmit it after feeding on an infected host. Controlling Culiseta melanura is challenging due to its preferred habitat of swamps, which are difficult to manage. Additionally, since other potential mosquito vectors require aquatic environments for reproduction, any standing water on a farm or near a home can become a breeding ground.
Effective management should include:
- Regular monitoring and elimination of all standing water, alongside integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, to reduce mosquito populations and the associated risk of equine encephalitis.
- Use an insect repellent on exposed skin when you are outside, and mosquitoes are around.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when feasible.
- Avoid being outside at dusk and dawn. This is when many species of mosquitoes are most active.
- Remove all animals from mosquito infested areas during peak biting times, usually dawn and dusk.
- Use window screens or air conditioning when inside a building to keep mosquitoes outside.
- Vaccinate your horses against the virus
