EEE-infected horses put down

Volusia County reports has six horses that tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been euthanized. The mosquito-borne illness can be fatal to humans, health officials warn. Last year the county saw a total of 12 cases of EEE for the whole year.

The June period is the highest period throughout the year for cases for the whole state. Officials periodically track the presence and spread of EEE by drawing blood from chicken kept in coops around the county. No chickens have tested positive this year.

More horses have died of the disease in Volusia than in any other Florida county. The department advises residents to reduce their risk of contracting the illness by:

• Avoiding being outside between dusk and dawn.
• Wearing clothing that covers the skin.
• Wearing mosquito repellants that contain DEET or Picaridin or lemon eucalyptus.
• Ridding areas around the home of standing water, which is where mosquitoes lay their eggs.