The Peru Gazette

Clinton County, August 21, 2024. The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) has been notified that a horse in Mooers has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE, Triple E) virus. The animal was unvaccinated. The EEE virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can infect people, horses and other mammals, some birds, reptiles and amphibians. This very rare but serious virus can cause inflammation of the brain, also known as encephalitis. 

So far this summer, one horse tested positive for EEE in Washington County and three have tested positive in St. Lawrence County. In the United States, an average of 11 human cases of EEE are reported annually. In New York State, there have been eight human disease cases between 2003-2022. These cases occurred in Oswego and Onondaga counties. There have been no human cases reported in NYS in 2024. 

EEE can cause various symptoms, such as fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, drowsiness, or coma. If you are under 15 or over 50, you are more likely to develop a severe form of EEE. The best way to prevent EEE is to protect yourself from mosquito bites. There are no medications to prevent or treat EEE virus infections in humans. 

EEE vaccination is very effective at preventing clinical disease in horses. Vaccination needs to be repeated at minimum on an annual basis; consult with your veterinarian regarding boosters. To reduce exposure to mosquitoes for horses: eliminate any standing water (mosquito habitat) and place fans inside where the horses rest, limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, and use equine approved mosquito repellent. 

Take the following steps to protect yourself: 

• Cover your skin as completely as possible when outside when mosquitoes are present and active. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks. 

• Use insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 and follow label directions. Do not apply repellent directly on children; instead apply it to your own hands and then rub it onto your child. Avoid applying to your face and wash your skin and clothing thoroughly after coming indoors. 

• Make sure there are screens in your home’s windows and doors. Make sure the screens are free of rips, tears and holes. 

• Eliminate all standing water on or around your home and property where mosquitoes can breed. Make sure your roof gutters drain correctly and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall. Remove or turn over any items that may hold stagnant water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Clear vegetation and waste from the edge of ponds. 

“Working Together for a Healthier Community” – 2 – 

In response to this public health concern, the Clinton County Health Department is collaborating with the Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation District to provide free mosquito dunks to county residents. These mosquito dunks offer an effective method for controlling mosquito populations by preventing mosquito larvae from developing into adult mosquitoes. They are non-chemical and are also effective against blackfly larvae, making them safe for use in backyard ponds, fountains, and other water features where fish, frogs, tadpoles, and other aquatic life reside. 

Mosquito dunks will be available for distribution at the following locations and times: 

Clinton County Health Department 

133 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh 

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation District 

6064 Route 22, Suite 1, Plattsburgh 

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

They are free for all Clinton County residents on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. 

For more information on EEE, please call CCHD at 518-565-4848 or visit: 

CCHD North Country Health Effect: 

https://health.clintoncountyny.gov/nc_healtheffect/Mosquitoes.pdf 

New York State Department of Health’s website: 

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/eastern_equine_encephalitis/fact_sheet.htm 

Center for Disease Control website: 

https://www.cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis/index.html#:~:text=EEE%20virus%20is%20a%20rare,survivors%20have%20ongoing%20neurologic%20problems. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/equine/eee-wee-vee