Northern Indiana residents are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites, and monitor horses for illness in response to the detection of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus activity.
While the risk of EEE virus infection begins to decrease when evening and overnight temperatures drop to 60 degrees, the risk is not eliminated until the first overnight hard freeze of 32 degrees.
Symptoms of EEE virus disease include chills, fever, body aches, and joint pain. Some people develop a more severe form of the disease affecting the nervous system and causing encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). People who are younger than 15 years and older than 50 years are at the greatest risk of severe disease if infected with EEE virus. People who think they may have EEE virus should contact their healthcare provider.
Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active in the late afternoon and early morning. Use an insect repellent containing DEET, cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves and long pants, and vaccinate horses for EEE annually.
