State urges horse owners to vaccinate ahead of peak mosquito season
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is reminding horse owners to vaccinate their animals against Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus before peak mosquito season.
A vaccine against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) is only approved for horses. The peak mosquito season in Massachusetts begins in late July.
Deadly illness spreading rapidly in Massachusetts
'Proper timing of vaccination for your animals can ensure protection throughout the entire mosquito season,' said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. 'EEE and WNV pose serious risks to horses, and infection can lead to death. In 2019, there were eight equine deaths in Massachusetts, all involving unvaccinated horses. In 2024, there were four equine deaths, again in unvaccinated horses. Vaccinating horses is one of the most effective ways to defend against these viruses.'
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) says that while rare, EEE is a serious and potentially deadly disease that can affect people of all ages and is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
In 2024, there were four human cases in Worcester, Middlesex, and Plymouth Counties and four animal cases in Plymouth County with EEE, with a total of 97 positive mosquito samples. A total of 18 humans contracted WNV, while 333 mosquito samples tested positive. There were no animal cases of WNV in Massachusetts in 2024.
Signs of WNV and EEE in animals:
Fever
Depression
Loss of appetite
Weakness
Uncoordinated movement
Head pressing
Circling
Convulsions
Irritability
Blindness
Coma
Tips to help prevent these mosquito-borne diseases in horses:
Talk to your veterinarian about vaccination.
Eliminate stagnant or standing water by avoiding water overflow from troughs, reducing run-off and pooling of irrigation water, eliminating accumulated water in flower pots, and removing old tires and other containers in which water can collect.
Eliminate piles of decaying organic matter such as leaves, lawn clippings, and manure.
Keep animals indoors during peak periods of mosquito activity (dusk and dawn).
Keep screens repaired and free of holes.
Avoid turning on lights inside barns during the evening and overnight, as mosquitoes are attracted to light.
Apply mosquito repellents approved for use in animals. Read the product label before using, and follow all instructions carefully.
People are reminded to take precautions to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes by wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outside, using insect repellent, and limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Local News Headlines
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
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