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CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
First case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis reported in horse in Hamilton since 2019
Hamilton is reporting its first case of a mosquito-borne illness called Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse since 2019. This rare, but serious, viral disease can cause inflammation of the brain in severe cases, starting with a sudden headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. Symptoms, which usually appear in humans three to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, normally include a mild flu-like illness with fever, headache, and fatigue. Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito, however, don't develop any symptoms. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is typically found in a virus carried by wild birds, however humans and horses bitten by an infected mosquito can become ill with EEE, the municipality said in a news release. The City of Hamilton noted that there are no reports of human illness caused by this virus in Hamilton at this time. Dr. Bart Harvey, the city's associate medical officer of health, said while the risk of being infected with EEE is low, this confirmed case serves as a reminder to residents to take precautions to avoid illness spread by mosquitos. 'Employing simple preventive measures such as using insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin, covering up, and removing standing water on your property to prevent mosquito breeding will reduce your risk while you enjoy the outdoors. The risk of these infections will drop once there is a heavy frost that reduces the number of mosquitoes.' Hamilton Public Health Services is providing the following tips to avoid being bitten by mosquitos: Use a mosquito repellent (bug spray) containing DEET or Icaridin. Avoid areas where mosquitoes are known to be present or cover up by wearing light coloured clothing with long sleeves and long pants when in wooded areas, on the golf course, or in the garden, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Reduce mosquito breeding sites by removing standing water at least weekly from your property. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in very shallow standing water. If you remove the standing water, they cannot lay eggs. Horses can and should be vaccinated against EEE and West Nile Virus. '(We) continually assesses the risk for human illness as part of a comprehensive vector-borne disease surveillance and prevention program. The City is currently completing its third round of mosquito larvicide treatments on city street catch basins, in addition to treatment of surface waters on public land,' a release read. More information about Hamilton's mosquito control program can be found online.
The Herald
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Case of foot and mouth disease detected at SA's largest cattle feedlot
A case of foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed at Karan Beef's feedlot facility in Heidelberg, the largest such facility in the country. Karan Beef spokesperson Anso Bracken said the FMD case was confirmed on Monday after the facility was, as a precautionary measure, placed under pre-emptive quarantine on May 30 when an infection was suspected. 'This development highlights the ongoing risks faced by the livestock industry, even under rigorous control systems. Karan Beef is working closely with state veterinary services to ensure swift containment and to minimise any further risk to the industry,' Bracken said. The agriculture department recently expressed concern about the spread of FMD, with outbreaks detected in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng in May. China has suspended imports of beef from South Africa as a result of the disease. The department advised livestock owners to abide by the incubation period of FMD, adding: 'Newly bought animals should be separated from the resident herd for at least 28 days, even if a health attestation was issued for the animals.' The department asked auctioneers and livestock owners to be vigilant when buying cloven hoofed animals from provinces where there are active outbreaks. 'No cloven-hoofed animals should be accepted from areas under restriction for FMD in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.' Owners or managers must take all reasonable steps to prevent their animals becoming infected with any disease and to prevent the spread of any disease from their animals or land to other animals or other properties. 'Essential biosecurity measures include limiting and/or postponing the introduction of new animals if at all possible and, if absolutely necessary, only introducing animals from known clean farms with a health declaration, preventing nose-to-nose contact of farm animals with animals outside the farm, maintaining secure farm boundaries, restricting access for people and vehicles as much as possible. 'Any suspicious clinical symptoms (salivation, blisters in the mouth, limping or hoof lesions) must be reported to the local state veterinarian immediately and such animals must not be moved under any circumstances.' TimesLIVE
