One person and two horses in Delaware have been infected with the West Nile virus, marking the first three cases this year, state health and agriculture officials said.
A joint news release issued Friday afternoon by the Delaware Division of Public Health and the Delaware Department of Agriculture said the person is a New Castle County resident. They were "hospitalized due to infection from the mosquito-borne illness" but are recovering.
The release did not say when the person contracted the virus.
The horses that were infected were both in Kent County. They were unvaccinated, and symptoms began between Aug. 20 and 23.
A 5-year-old Friesian stallion has since recovered, while a 1-year-old quarter horse is currently recovering, the release said.
What are West Nile virus and EEE?
The West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, are diseases transmitted via mosquito bites, generally in the summer and fall. The peak transmission time is between mid-August and mid-October.
In humans, both diseases can cause serious issues, though EEE is generally considered more dangerous than the West Nile virus.
This is especially true for older people and those with weakened immune systems. Children under 15 are also at greater risk of developing severe cases of EEE.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious diseases specialist, was recently hospitalized as a result of the West Nile virus.
READ: West Nile hit Dr. Fauci like a 'truck.' Here's what to know about the virus.
Most people infected with the West Nile virus don't develop symptoms, but about 20% can develop a mild illness, including fever, body and muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting and a rash, the news release said.
A small number of people can develop serious illness, which the Department of Public Health said can involve "neurological problems, paralysis and in rare cases, death." Anyone with these symptoms should immediately seek medical treatment.
Symptoms of EEE can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
In horses, the symptoms of both viruses are fever, anorexia, head pressing, depression or personality change, wobbling or staggering, weakness, blindness, convulsions, muscle spasms in the head and neck or hind-limb weakness, the Agriculture Gepartment said.
Both diseases require a person or animal to be bitten by an infected mosquito, so transmissions between infected animals are very unlikely (unlike diseases such as the bird flu, though even those transmissions are low).
How can I protect myself?
There are no federally approved vaccines to protect humans from EEE or the West Nile virus, but residents can take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
People should wear light-colored clothing and long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors in mosquito-prone areas. They should also use mosquito spray that has 10% to 30% diethyltoluamide (DEET).
They should also avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at times of peak mosquito activity − or around dawn, dusk and night.
"Delaware residents and landowners should also eliminate unneeded standing water on their property that might exist for four or more consecutive days, which can act as a mosquito breeding habitat," Friday's news release said.
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Horses should also be kept inside during dawn and dusk and topical insect repellents labeled for use on horses can also be used. The wind generated by fans often used in horse stalls can also help deter mosquitoes.
Water troughs or buckets should be emptied, cleaned and refilled every 2-3 days to remove potential mosquito eggs or larvae, officials say.
Mosquito season in Delaware typically ends with the first hard freeze.
Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: First cases of West Nile virus in human, horses found in Delaware
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