BRYAN COUNTY — A horse in Bryan County has tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis.
The Coastal Health District encourages all horse owners to vaccinate their animals against EEE. Vaccinations protect horses against the virus.
EEE is a mosquito-borne virus that causes swelling of the brain. In horses, it is fatal 70- 90 percent of the time. There is a greater risk of animals being infected this time of year because of the increase in mosquitoes during the summer.
Because mosquitoes breed in water and horses drink out of troughs, horse owners should keep an eye on watering sources and keep them clean.
For more information on EEE, go to www.cdc.gov/diseasesconditions.