Michigan Department of Agriculture Reports First EEE Case in Horse, Warns of Mosquito-Borne Virus Threat
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has reported the first animal case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in Michigan this year, involving a 1-year-old horse in Clare County that was euthanized due to the illness. This follows a human case of EEE diagnosed in Roscommon County earlier in August. EEE is a rare but often lethal virus transmitted to both horses and humans through infected mosquito bites. State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland emphasized that these detections confirm the circulation of EEE and other potential mosquito-borne viruses within Michigan's mosquito population. The affected Quarter Horse colt was not fully vaccinated against EEE. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) notes that EEE causes serious illness and has a fatality rate of 1 in 3 among infected individuals, with survivors often experiencing permanent brain damage. 
