CONCORD (AP) — The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services says it’s found the Eastern equine encephalitis virus in a horse in Northwood. The disease can be fatal to humans.
The department said Wednesday this is the first finding of the mosquito-transmitted virus in a horse this year, though a mosquito batch from Pelham tested positive for EEE two weeks ago.
The risk level for the town of Northwood will be increased to high, and the surrounding towns of Barnstead, Barrington, Deerfield, Epsom, Nottingham, Pittsfield, and Strafford will increase from low to moderate.
Since 2004, there have been 15 human infections with EEE identified in New Hampshire; the last human case of EEE in the state was in 2014, when there were three cases. There have been no EEE infections identified yet this season in humans.
According to the Center for Disease Control, EEE is a rare disease that is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. EEE virus (EEEV) is one of a group of mosquito-transmitted viruses that can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). EEEV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Disease transmission does not occur directly from person to person. Anyone in an area where the virus is circulating can get infected with EEEV. The risk is highest for people who live in or visit woodland habitats, and people who work outside or participate in outdoor recreational activities, because of greater exposure to potentially infected mosquitoes.
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