EEE detected!

The Baldwin County Health Department announced today that preliminary results indicate a sentinel chicken from the Orange Beach area has tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis. Officials will conduct further tests in coming weeks to confirm the results, according to new release.

Eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile and other mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird. Occasionally, when bird hosts are scarce, mosquitoes will take blood from mammals, including humans and horses. According to health officials, humans and horses can sometimes become ill from the infection.

A Health Department official said that when people participate in outdoor activities, it is imperative that they reduce their exposure to mosquitoes and keep repellent with them at all times.

Posted by Staff Report June 18, 2008 10:28 AM

(For a complete report, read Thursday’s Press-Register.)