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Hernando Today

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Chicken tests positive for EEE virus

By HERNANDO TODAY STAFF

Published: November 2, 2009

Brooksville - The Hernando County mosquito control division has announced a sentinel chicken, located west of U.S. 19 and north of The Heather subdivision, has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus – the first case in the county.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is transmitted to horses and humans by mosquitoes. Birds are the source of the virus. Mosquito control has placed small chicken coops at various locations throughout Hernando County to monitor the presence of various types of encephalitis viruses through periodic testing of blood samples.
"Mosquito control employees are increasing inspections, surveillance, and treatment in the affected area, said Mosquito Control Director Guangye Hu. " However, we want to remind residents that they need to be vigilant to keep their lawns clear of objects that hold even the slightest amount of water in which mosquitoes will breed."
Hu said people should keep exposed areas of the body covered or use insect repellant with DEET if outside when mosquitoes may be present.
This year, 69 horses, 174 sentinel chickens, and 100 live wild birds tested positive for EEE virus in 33 Florida counties.
For more information about EEE virus, call mosquito control at (352) 754-4060 or visit http://eis.ifas.ufl.edu/eis1.htm.