State News
Protect your horses from EEE, ag department says
11 cases this year
Submitted by the Georgia Department of Agriculture
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is urging horse owners to take precautions to protect their animals from Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), commonly called Triple E, is a mosquito-borne virus that causes inflammation or swelling of the brain. In horses, it is fatal 70 to 90 percent of the time.
“I am encouraging Georgians who have horses to control mosquitoes around stables and keep horses vaccinated,” says Irvin. “Minimizing EEE risks is as simple as having your horse properly immunized.” A vaccination for EEE is typically under $40. A combined EEE/WNV vaccine is available which will also provide protection against West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne disease.
Since January, there have been 11 confirmed cases (10 horses and one dog) in Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Cook, Lanier, Long, Lowndes, Wayne and Ware counties.
The disease is spread by mosquitoes. Since mosquitoes breed in standing water, Irvin urges horse owners to closely monitor water in buckets, troughs, gutters and other containers that may serve as breeding grounds. Thoroughly cleaning watering troughs every three to four days will keep larvae from developing.
Mosquito Dunks (contains Bti - Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis) and Mosquito Torpedo (contains methoprene) may be used where draining standing water is not possible. Both Bti and methoprene are safe to use in animal drinking water.
Insect repellent is another means of protection for both horse and rider. Hand-held foggers that use a pyrethroid insecticide can be used to reduce the numbers of adult mosquitoes in a yard or barn. Using fans on stalls also helps reduce mosquito bites in the barn.
The EEE virus is not transmitted from person to person, horse to horse or horse to humans. The disease can affect humans and dogs although it is not common. Since there is not a vaccine for humans or canines, mosquito control and preventing mosquito bites are the best means of protection.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a Georgia RAD (Reportable Animal Disease). State and federal regulations require the notification of the State Veterinarian’s office within 24-hours of laboratory confirmation.
- State News
-
-
House, Senate OK water conservation bills
Identical water conservation bills cleared both chambers of the state Legislature on Wednesday, an overture designed to help the state in negotiating a deal with Florida and Alabama over water rights.
-
Attorney: Pa. officers with Roethlisberger at club
Two off-duty Pennsylvania law enforcement officers were with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the Georgia nightclub where a woman accused him of sexual assault, and the two men didn’t see anything inappropriate, an attorney for one of them said Wednesday.
-
System to defend the poor still reeling
Georgia’s public defender system is still trying to recover its financial footing five years after a courthouse gunman racked up a $3 million taxpayer-funded defense tab on the way to his conviction.
-
Rainy weather continues
Rain is continuing to fall across Georgia, and a few counties remain under a flood warning.
-
Lawyers: Respect Roethlisberger accuser’s privacy
Attorneys for the woman who accuses Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault said that she did the right thing by going to police and asked for privacy in a statement Tuesday.
-
Marines name kennel for slain dog handler
An Albany military base is naming its kennel in honor of a Marine canine handler whose parents were allowed to adopt his bomb-sniffing dog after the young Marine was killed in Iraq.
-
DOJ mulls reduction in Ga. city’s voter precincts
An elections official in Columbus says the U.S. Department of Justice is expected to decide by April 26 whether to approve a plan to reduce the city’s voter precincts from 48 to 28.
-
Missing teen found dead
Authorities say the body of a 15-year-old McIntosh County boy was found in a rugged state wildlife management area after a 12-hour search.
-
Officials launch campaign to combat meth use
The Georgia Meth Project is launching a campaign to tackle the growing use of methamphetamine in Georgia, targeting teens who authorities say are becoming more likely to try the highly addictive drug.
-
Committee approves bill expanding gun carry areas
A bill that would allow gun owners with permits to carry firearms onto college campuses and into churches and bars has passed a key Senate committee.
- More State News Headlines
-
House, Senate OK water conservation bills
