INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Although the rains of late summer have given way to drier days of early autumn, the danger of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) remains a concern in many northern Indiana counties.

The Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) recently warned residents of Elkhart, LaGrange, LaPorte and St. Joseph counties that EEE is a concern in their area after an Elkhart Co. horse was diagnosed with the disease that causes incurable central nervous system problems in horses and can be fatal to humans.

The irony of EEE is that there is a vaccine to prevent the infection for horses but none for humans.

Because of the threat EEE poses to humans, State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D. cautions, “EEE is a potentially very serious disease that can cause lifetime neurological disabilities. The only encephalitis posing greater health risks to humans is rabies.”

She feels the combined threat of EEE and West Nile virus in northern counties of the state is serious enough for residents to take extra precautions.

Her concern is backed by statistics indicating that 30 percent of people who develop EEE die and approximately half of those who survive will have permanent neurological problems.

Norman Tinkey, a Kosciusko County, Ind. resident still recuperating from a bout of West Nile virus, agrees. Two years later, his vision is still affected and he lacks strength to walk any distances. Like many others, he does not remember having a mosquito bite, although an area veterinarian says it is possible for a mosquito to bite someone during sleep without the victim being aware of it.

EEE and WNV are similar in that both are spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected bird, it becomes infected. The infected mosquito could then bite a human and transmit the infection. EEE and WNV are not spread by person-to-person contact such as touching, kissing or caring for someone who is infected. No known transmission has occurred from birds to people, however, since dead birds may have the virus, health officials advise anyone handling birds or dead animals to wear gloves.

EEE symptoms include fever, malaise, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, eye pain when exposed to light, weakness, paralysis, confusion, lack of coordination, seizures and loss of consciousness. WNV symptoms may go unrecognized for some time because they closely resemble those of influenza. It’s only when the symptoms refuse to go away that patients seek medical advice.

Dr. Bill Howard, a Fulton County veterinarian, said it is not uncommon for a horse to infect its owner. “If the owner gives an infected animal a shot and the horse acts up, the owner could easily stick himself with the used needle and be infected with the virus,” he said.

State officials urge Hoosiers to take steps to prevent the spread of EEE, including eliminating all sources of standing water that serve as breeding sites for mosquitoes (gutters, birdbaths, old tires, water troughs and puddles.) They note that even shallow pools can produce a crop of mosquitoes in as few as five days.

People, as well as animals, should avoid being outdoors at dusk when mosquitoes are most active. When necessary, topical insect repellents may be used on horses, as long as they are labeled appropriately.

Most of all, they advise vaccination.

“EEE vaccines for horses are excellent,” said Dr. Bret Marsh, the Indiana state veterinarian. “However, at this late date, newly vaccinated animals may not get full protection before mosquito season is over. That’s why keeping animals sheltered during peak mosquito flight times and taking immediate steps for onsite mosquito control are the best means of defense.”

For humans, Dr. Judy Monroe urges they protect themselves by:

•Avoiding being outdoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

•Applying insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin or oil of lemon eucalyptus to clothes and exposed skin when outdoors.

•Wearing shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors from dusk to dawn.

•Making sure all windows and doors have screens and that they are in good repair.

•Using mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure.

As Dr. Bill Howard cautioned, “It takes only one bite to become infected.”