With warmer temperatures arriving across Alabama, state agriculture officials are urging horse owners to take steps to protect their animals from mosquito-borne diseases that can cause severe illness or death.

Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier are encouraging horse owners to vaccinate animals against Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus. Per a news release, both diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes and pose serious risks to horses.

West Nile Virus is considered a significant health threat because it can cause severe neurological disease. Most cases occur during mosquito season, which typically begins in summer and continues through fall.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is also transmitted by mosquitoes and is considered more severe. Officials report the mortality rate for horses infected with West Nile Virus is about 30%, while the mortality rate for Eastern Equine Encephalitis is nearly 90%.

“Unfortunately, mosquito-borne viruses like EEE and WNV are prevalent in Alabama’s warm and wet climate. Vaccinating is critical to protect horses and ourselves,” Pate said in the release. “I strongly encourage all horse owners to take preventive measures and ensure their animals are properly vaccinated.”

Both viruses attack the central nervous system and cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include head pressing, convulsions, lack of response to facial stimulation, fever above 103 degrees, ataxia, paralysis, anorexia, depression and stupor. Additional signs may include irregular gait, teeth grinding, circling and staggering, though infected horses may not show every symptom.

“We recommend vaccinating your horses every six months against both EEE and WNV,” Dr. Frazier said. “Horse owners should contact their local veterinarian to schedule these important vaccinations and ensure their animals are protected.”

Along with vaccinations, officials recommend several steps to reduce mosquito exposure and limit the risk of infection. Horse owners are advised to use insect repellents, keep horses indoors during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk and use fans in barns or stalls to make it harder for mosquitoes to land.

Eliminating standing water is also critical because mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Officials recommend regularly emptying or changing water in troughs and buckets and removing items such as old tires where water can collect.

Horse owners should also monitor animals for signs of illness and contact a veterinarian immediately if symptoms appear.

State officials emphasized that infected backyard poultry flocks or horses cannot directly spread Eastern Equine Encephalitis to people. Humans become infected only through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Public health officials recommend residents take precautions to reduce mosquito exposure. Protective steps include using insect repellents that contain DEET, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, removing standing water around homes and limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

More information about preventing Eastern Equine Encephalitis in humans is available at www.cdc.gov/eastern-equine-encephalitis/prevention/.

For information about Eastern Equine Encephalitis or West Nile Virus in animals, contact the State Veterinarian’s Office at (334) 240-7253.