Horse in town of Newburgh dies of Eastern Equine Encephalitis

GOSHEN - The Orange County Department of Health announced that a horse in the town of Newburgh died late last week of Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

EEE is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection that is spread by mosquitoes and can infect people and horses. It causes encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.

The EEE diagnosis was confirmed in test results released by the state Department of Health.

The horse had not been vaccinated for EEE and had not traveled outside the county.

Symptoms of the EEE virus typically appear 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The EEE virus only spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito and is not spread person-to-person, people to animals or animals to people.

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It is possible that some people who are infected with EEE virus will not develop any symptoms.

"In Orange County, equestrian sports and activities have become extremely popular with residents and visitors, so keeping our horses and the people who interact with them safe and healthy is a priority," Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said in a statement. "I encourage all residents to follow our health department's recommendations to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes."

People over 50 and younger than age 15 are at greatest risk for severe cases of EEE virus infection, which begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting, which may progress into confusion, seizures and coma.

Approximately one-third of patients who develop EEE virus will die, and many who survive have mild to severe brain damage.

Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Alicia Pointer reminds residents that the EEE virus could remain active in the environment until the first hard frost occurs.

"Until we have a hard frost, people in all areas of Orange County need to fully protect themselves from mosquito bites when they're outdoors," Pointer said in a statement. "If you are outside, you should use insect repellents and consider wearing long pants and long sleeves."

Pointer said insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin or the oil of lemon eucalyptus are effective.

"A positive test in a horse lets us know that EEE is circulating in mosquitoes that bite mammals, including humans," Pointer continued in her statement. "We continue to monitor and assess mosquito and virus activities. We will keep you updated on our social media pages and the Orange County Department of Health webpage while we continue to work closely with the New York State Department of Health, which provides support and guidance."

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Pointer said residents should take measures to reduce mosquitoes around their homes, including: repair or replace window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside; dispose of old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots, and other water-holding containers; clear roof gutters and be sure they drain properly; turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use; clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs, and drain pool covers; change the water in bird baths and horse troughs twice a week; and remove leaf debris from yards and gardens, and clean vegetation and debris from the edge of ponds.

For more information on mosquito prevention or protection, call the Orange County Department of Health at 845-291-2332 or visit orangecountygov.com/health.

Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Horse in town of Newburgh dies of Eastern Equine Encephalitis