VALDOSTA — A horse in Lowndes County has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, according to health officials.

EEE is a rare disease caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can cause inflammation of the brain, but on average, only eight cases of EEE in humans are reported each year, the CDC said.

“The more time someone is outdoors, the more time the person is at risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito; that is why we encourage everyone to take all precautions against mosquito bites,” said Dr. William Grow, South Health District director.

The district urges people to:

• Use insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or PMD. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.

• Any containers that can collect water should be discarded or dumped daily.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk to reduce the amount of exposed skin, as weather permits.

• Avoid being outdoors from dusk to dawn, peak mosquito biting times, if possible.

• Set up outdoor fans to keep mosquitoes from flying near you.

Severe cases of EEE infection in humans begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting, according to the CDC; the illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures and coma. Approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, and many of those who survive have mild to severe brain damage, the CDC said.

There is no specific treatment for EEE, according to the CDC. Most cases have been found in Atlantic and Gulf Coast states.

In July, a horse with EEE was found in Brooks County. 

For more information, call the local health department or visit www.cdc.gov/.

Terry Richards is an editor at The Valdosta Daily Times.