VALDOSTA – The Georgia Department of Health has been notified of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in Lowndes, Irwin and Berrien counties.

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The Georgia Department of Public Health's South Health District has received three positive reports of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis. One horse in Berrien County tested positive, as did one horse in Irwin County and one in Lowndes County.

While it is not uncommon for reports of electrical and electronic equipment to be reported in our area this time of year, it also highlights the importance of staying vigilant and protecting yourself from mosquito bites, as these are the most common form of transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.

Tips for preventing mosquito bites:

• Use an insect repellent containing DEET, Picardin, IR3535 or lemon eucalyptus oil on exposed skin and/or clothing.
• When the weather is nice, wear long sleeves and long pants.
• Ensure that you have secure and intact fly screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes away.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by draining standing water from flower pots, buckets, barrels, wading pools, and other containers. Drill holes in tire swings to allow water to drain away.
• Be sure to use insect repellent and wear protective clothing from dusk to dawn, or consider indoor activities during this time due to peak mosquito biting times.

“These three positive reports are spread across our county, which tells us that EEE is present in our region,” said Chris Calhoun, county director of environmental health. “We want to encourage everyone to take extra precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Although these reports occur most years, we must continue to take them seriously.”

Although there is no vaccine for humans against EEE and West Nile virus, vaccines are available for horses. Consult your veterinarian to have your horse(s) vaccinated as early as possible.

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.