Euthanized Madison Co. horse tests positive for mosquito-borne virus

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — State officials say a horse from Madison County has tested positive for a virus that can also be fatal to humans.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday that the horse tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

EEE is transmitted by mosquitoes. Humans cannot contract these viral infections directly from infected horses, but mosquito-borne diseases do pose a public health risk, the release states.

The horse was euthanized July 14, according to state veterinarian Dr. Charlie Hatcher. It was then sent to the state and tested positive for EEE.

“We sent the brain to National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, and they performed the triple E — Eastern Equine Encephalitis — test, and it came back positive,” Dr. Hatcher said.

The Tennessee departments of Agriculture and Health are advising citizens to take precautions to protect themselves and their livestock, according to the release.

“The bad thing about it in an unvaccinated horse, if they get this disease it’s 75-90 percent fatal,” Dr. Hatcher said.

“Although Tennessee has never had a documented human case of EEE, it is important for the public to remember mosquito-borne diseases including EEE and West Nile virus can occur each summer,” medical entomologist Dr. Abelardo Moncayo said in the release. “Fortunately, the prevention measures are similar for EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases.”

There is no vaccine for humans, but the EEE vaccine for horses is effective, according to the release.

“Horse owners should vaccinate their livestock annually and always watch for signs of illness,” Dr. Hatcher said in the release. “If your horse is lethargic, loses eyesight or is unable to swallow, contact your veterinarian immediately.”

Shanna Shearon with the Jackson-Madison County Health Department said there have been no cases in humans in the state of Tennessee, and last year there were only six across the states.

Dr. Hatcher said this is the first case he has seen reported in Tennessee this year.

Click here to see the full health advisory from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.