The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has been notified of three suspected cases of encephalitis in horses in Rhode Island. All three horses are from Washington County and are being investigated for possible West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) infections. One horse died, one had to be euthanized, and one is alive and responding to treatment. If confirmed, these infections would represent the first equine cases of viral encephalitis in Rhode Island this season, and would also indicate the presence of WNV or EEE, or both, in mammal-biting mosquitoes in the area.

As of Sept. 5, 20 birds and one mosquito pool have tested positive for WNV this year, and one bird has tested positive for EEE. Those findings have come from four of the five counties in Rhode Island. The positive test results, coupled with the suspected horse infections and the fact that August through October is the peak season for mosquito transmission, mean that the public should be extra careful–both in terms of protecting their livestock and themselves.

“Horses tend to be more exposed to mosquitoes than people,” says Dr. Alan Gettman, DEM’s Mosquito Abatement Coordinator, “but people can put themselves at risk if they fail to guard against mosquito bites.”

Final confirmation of the suspected horse infections is expected to take 7-10 days. In the meantime, DEM will be setting extra mosquito traps in the areas where the horses resided