The Georgia Department of Agriculture has reported that a horse in Clinch County has tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), marking Georgia’s first confirmed case of EEE in 2026.
EDCC Health Watch is a marketing program by Equine Network that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and distribute verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization supported by industry donations to provide open access to infectious disease information.
EEE 101
Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, with wild birds serving as natural reservoirs. Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. Horses do not reach high enough virus levels in their blood to be contagious to other animals or humans. Due to the high mortality rate in horses and humans, EEE is considered one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.
Preventative tips for mosquito-borne diseases include:
- Avoid mosquito bites: Use insect repellent when outdoors, particularly from dusk to dawn.
- Use EPA-labeled products with active ingredients like DEET, picaridin (KBR3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane 3,8-diol).
- Reapply repellent as needed, following label instructions, if mosquitoes are biting.
- Secure homes against mosquitoes: Repair or install window and door screens, and cover or remove containers with standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
- Protect your horses: Veterinarians recommend licensed vaccines against EEE for all U.S. horses. Horses should be vaccinated at least once a year (recommendations may differ in high-risk regions). It’s not too late this year to vaccinate your horses.
- Use approved insect repellents to protect horses.
- If possible, keep horses indoors during peak mosquito activity hours at dusk and dawn.
- Remove standing water, empty water troughs, and buckets at least weekly.
- Introduce fish to water tanks that consume mosquito larvae (contact local mosquito control for assistance), or use mosquito “dunks” (solid “donuts” of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, safe for horses) found in hardware stores.