The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reporting Michigan s first cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) in domestic animals.
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EEE was detected in a seven year old Standardbred gelding from Mecosta County, and the WNV case occurred in a four month old Belgian colt from Calhoun County. Both horses were unvaccinated against their respective diseases.
"While these are the first confirmed cases of EEE and WNV in domestic animals for 2023, these viruses were already found in mosquito pools and wild birds throughout 14 Michigan counties this season," said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland.
"These detections indicate these diseases are present and circulating within the state's mosquito population, so protecting animals from being exposed to these insects is crucial. Preventing mosquito bites will prevent mosquito borne diseases."
EEE and WNV are both viral diseases transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes to both animals and people; they are typically seen in late summer to early fall each year in Michigan.
These diseases are not spread by horse to horse or horse to human contact.
"These discoveries are a reminder that the EEE virus is here in Michigan and provides warning that people can also become infected by a mosquito," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive.
"Michigan residents are urged to take precautions and protect themselves from mosquito bites as EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito borne diseases in the U.S., with a 33 percent fatality rate among people who become ill."
So far this year, EEE was detected in four mosquito pools from Bay, Barry, and Saginaw counties, and WNV was detected in 98 mosquito pools from Bay, Genesee, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kent, Oakland, Saginaw, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.
There have also been four human cases of WNV and four cases of WNV in wild birds. Fortunately, there are no additional detections of EEE in humans or animals.
Despite the cooler temperatures being experienced around the state, the mosquitoes that carry EEE and WNV will remain alive and active until there has been at least one hard freeze where the temperatures fall below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. ■