Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Arkansas

Arkansas has recently reported several cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in horses, which indicates the risk is present in local mosquitoes.

EEE is a mosquito-borne virus that causes swelling of the brain. EEE is rare in humans; however, humans are susceptible to the virus. Humans can become infected with EEE when mosquitoes who have fed on previously infected animals then feed on humans. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop symptoms. Those that do can experience headaches, chills, fever, malaise, joint, and muscle pain. This can progress to serious neurological symptoms such as drowsiness, seizures, and coma and even death.

In horses, EEE is fatal 70 to 90 percent of the time. Horse and large animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their animals against the virus and to clean out watering sources, such as buckets and troughs, every 3-4 days to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there.

If you experience any symptoms and think you may have EEE, talk with your healthcare provider about testing. You can learn more about insect-related diseases at www.healthy.arkansas.gov.