Horse with encephalitis confirmed in Walton County

The Walton County Health Department sent out a notification Friday asking people to protect against the threat of eastern equine encephalitis after a horse tested positive for the virus.

While human infection is rare, eastern equine encephalitis is one of the most dangerous mosquito-transmitted diseases in the country, with an approximate 33 percent mortality rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms begin with a headache, high fever, chills and vomiting and progress to seizures or a coma.

The county has been under a mosquito-borne illness advisory since June 18.

The health department is asking people to take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, which can carry the disease. Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes seek blood, wear clothing that covers your skin and wear mosquito repellant containing DEET.

People also are asked to eliminate potential breeding sites by cleaning out areas with standing water. These include eaves, gutters, troughs, playground tires, empty pots, beverage containers, tarps, boats’ bilges, birdbaths and plant trays.