For Immediate Release: Sept. 21, 2012 Communication Office,
Vermont Department of Health Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food
and Markets The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
was notified on September 21 that a horse located in Pittsford,
Vermont has tested positive for EEE. The horse began showing
signs of illness on September 16 and was euthanized the next
day. The horse was not vaccinated for EEE. This is the second
horse that tested positive for EEE in Vermont, and this is the
first time EEE virus has been detected in the town of Pittsford.
People who live in Pittsford and the surrounding communities may
be at increased risk for infection and should take precautions
to prevent mosquito bites. The area where this horse lives was
not treated with pesticide during the aerial spray that occurred
the first week in September. EEE is a mosquito-borne, viral
infection that can cause severe neurologic disease in horses,
with mortality rates approaching 100 percent. Although horses
are the animals mos