SHAWANO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A horse in Shawano County has tested positive for an illness that can affect people.
The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department says the horse tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis. It’s the first confirmed case in Shawano County and fifth in Wisconsin this year.
EEE is spread to people, horses and other animals through the bite of an infected mosquito, which acquires it by feeding on infected birds. While the virus does not spread person to person or animal to person, the positive horse confirms there are mosquitoes in the area infected with the virus that can spread to people and other animals, according to health officials.
Many people infected with EEE do not get sick. Possible symptoms include fever, headache, chills and vomiting. Severe form of the illness may result in encephalitis, disorientation, seizures, coma or death.
Health officials recommend doing the following to avoid mosquito bites:
- Apply an insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to exposed skin and clothing.
- Prior to heading outdoors, treat clothing with permethrin; do not apply permethrin directly to skin.
- Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning hours, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
In addition, homes can be mosquito-proofed by doing the following:
- Make sure window and door screens are intact and tightly-fitted to prevent mosquitoes from getting into your home.
- Prevent mosquitoes from breeding around your home by removing stagnant water from items around your property, such as tin cans, plastic containers, flower pots, discarded tires, roof gutters, and downspouts.
- Turn over wheelbarrows, kiddie pools, buckets, and small boats such as canoes and kayaks when not in use.
- Change the water in bird baths and pet dishes at least every three days.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; drain water from pool covers.
- Trim or mow tall grass, weeds, and vines since mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.
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