2nd Vt. horse tests positive for EEE - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - A second Vermont horse has tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis, a virus spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture says it was notified on Friday about the horse in Pittsford.

The horse, which was not vaccinated for EEE, started showing signs of illness on Sunday and was euthanized the next day.

Another horse was sickened earlier this month in Whiting.

Dr. Shelley Mehlenbacher, assistant state veterinarian, says all horses in Vermont should be vaccinated for the disease.

EEE can cause severe neurologic disease in horses and usually death. The virus can also cause disease in other mammals such as llamas and alpacas and in emus. Officials say infected mammals are generally unable to transmit EEE to other animals or people.

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Click here for more on EEE from the CDC.

More on EEE from the Vt. Health Department, including information on the aerial spraying and a map of the area.

Click here for more on EEE from the Vt. Agriculture Agency.

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