Lambton Public Health is warning residents to take extra precaution against mosquito bites after officials say eastern equine encephalitis virus has been reported in a horse in Lambton County.

Public health officials say like West Nile virus, EEEV is typically found in wild birds and mosquitoes, but can be spread to horses and, in rare cases, humans, through an infected mosquito’s bite. Humans cannot be infected with EEEV from another horse or human.

Health Canada says about 50 per cent of the horses infected with the virus die.

Public health says horses can be protected by a vaccine, however there is no vaccine for humans.
Human cases are rare, but the disease can cause serious neurological complications and
even death.

Officials say no mosquito traps have found EEEV in Lambton. Those traps are set to detect West Nile Virus, which has been found in the area and one person has been confirmed to have the virus.

Officials say preventing mosquito bites is the best way to protect against both EEEV and WNV.