The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is correcting an inital report made Friday, September 13. A horse that was detected as having Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) was not in St. Joseph County.

The health agency was notified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Laboratories. Officials are nevertheless still notifying people who own horses to take precautions to prevent their animals from getting sick.

“We are reminding residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their horses from mosquito bites,” Community Health Agency Supervisor of Environmental Health Joe Frazier said. “Vaccination of horses can prevent EEE and West Nile Virus, which are both mosquito-borne diseases.”

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends vaccinating horses against EEE and West Nile Virus, placing them in a barn under fans during peak mosquito activity, using an insect repellent approved for the species, eliminating standing water, and contacting a veterinarian if the horse shows signs of the illness.

Officials also recommend people wear long sleeves and light-colored clothing, and use an EPA registered insect repellent when going outdoors. When using insect repellent on a baby or child, it must be done according to the instructions on the container, and it should not be applied to babies under the age of 2 months. Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol should also not be used on children under age 3.

Mosquitoes transmit EEE and West Nile Virus to animals and humans through bites. Contact your veterinarian if a horse shows signs of the illness including loss of awareness of their surroundings, walking in circles, and exhibiting muscle paralysis, stupor, lethargy, and lack of coordination.