TOLEDO, Ohio — At least four horses in Northeast Ohio died this past week from eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, according to Ohio State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Forshey. It is a rare mosquito-borne virus that attacks the central nervous system of a horse and is usually fatal. EEE can also infect humans.

Although the infected horses were found in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties in the northeastern part of Ohio, horsemen and veterinarians across the state are on the alert, urging all horse owners to make sure their animals are up to date on their shots as EEE is preventable.

"It is not a common disease, but it is certainly one that is always on our radar," says Dr. Diane Troyer, a 20-year veterinarian who practices in the Toledo, Ohio, and southern Michigan areas. "The disease is often fatal in horses. Symptoms come on quickly and include erratic behavior, loss of coordination and seizures. If your horse gets the virus, there is not much that can be done; the only thing you can do is supportive care. You would need to get them to an equine hospital for things like IV fluids, but there is no specific medicine for it – just prevention, which is the vaccine."

The disease is extremely rare in people, with only a couple cases in the United States each year. However, vets like Dr. Troyer warn that if the virus is showing up in horses, people should also take steps to protect themselves.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only a few EEE cases are reported in the nation each year. Those affected by EEE can get brain damage or even death. Those with EEE start with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting, CDC officials say. Eventually one could become disoriented, have seizures or go into a coma. "Fortunately, no Ohioans have been diagnosed with the virus from the current outbreak," Forshey said.

He said owners can protect themselves from EEE by using mosquito repellant, wearing protective clothing and getting rid of standing water. State officials urged horse owners around the state to make sure their animals’ EEE vaccine and boosters are up to date. While horses are particularly susceptible, the Ohio Department of Agriculture states that EEE can be caught by poultry and deer as well.