Michigan Reports First Cases of EEE and WNV in Horses

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has confirmed the first cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) in horses in Michigan for 2023.

In the reported cases, a seven-year-old Standardbred gelding from Mecosta County tested positive for EEE, while a four-month-old Belgian colt from Calhoun County tested positive for WNV. Notably, both horses were unvaccinated against these mosquito-borne diseases.

EEE and WNV are both mosquito-borne diseases that can pose a fatal threat to both horses and humans. EEE is particularly severe, capable of causing neurological problems in horses and people.

The detection of these cases in horses serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with mosquito-borne diseases in Michigan, emphasizing the need for precautions against mosquito bites for both humans and animals.

To safeguard horses against EEE and WNV, horse owners are strongly encouraged to:

• Vaccinate their horses against both EEE and WNV.

• Eliminate sources of standing water around their property, such as in buckets, birdbaths, and flowerpots.

• Keep horses indoors during peak mosquito hours, which are dusk and dawn.

• Apply insect repellent to horses allowed to be outside.

Residents can protect themselves and their families by following these simple strategies:

• Apply insect repellents containing DEET or EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors, applying insect repellent to clothing.

• Maintain window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out.

• Remove standing water from potential mosquito breeding sites around homes.

• Report cases of EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases to MDARD.

If a Michigan animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, testing costs can be covered under an arbovirus grant. For more information, please contact MDARD at 800-292-3939.

To learn more about EEE and WNV, visit the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Emerging Diseases page.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-patrick-jennings