Horse tests positive for EEE in Brooks County

Quitman, GA – The Georgia Department of Agriculture has confirmed one positive case of Eastern
Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse found in Brooks County. This is the first positive case of EEE
found in a horse in South Georgia this year.
EEE is the inflammation or swelling of the brain caused by the eastern equine encephalitis
virus. EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The EEE virus is transmitted to humans and horses through the bite of an infected mosquito;
however, the illness is rare in humans. The EEE virus normally only circulates between birds and
mosquitoes in swampy areas. EEE is not transmitted from person to person, horse to horse or horse to
human.
While most people bitten by a mosquito carrying EEE will not get sick, those that are infected
will generally show symptoms within 3 to 10 days. The symptoms of EEE are sudden onset of fever,
muscle pains and headaches; many will also experience more severe illness that may include seizures
and coma.
Although most people will not become sick, people are encouraged to take precautions when
outdoors. Anyone that is outdoors should do all they can to protect themselves and others from the
bites of mosquitoes.
Your personal mosquito protection efforts should include

the “5 D’s” for prevention:

Dusk/Dawn: Mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus (WNV) usually bite at dusk and dawn. Limit
outdoor activity during those hours.

Dress: Wear light, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
DEET: Cover exposed skin and clothes with an insect repellent containing the chemical DEET. It is
the most effective repellant against mosquito bites.

Drain: Empty any containers (buckets, barrels, kiddie pools) holding standing water to prevent
breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Doors: Make sure doors, windows and screens are in good condition and fit tightly to keep out
mosquitoes.

Horses should be vaccinated against EEE and WNV annually at a veterinarian’s office. For more
information on EEE or any other mosquito-borne disease visit www.cdc.gov or call the South Health
District at 333-5290.

GA’s Lt. Governor to Speak at Chamber Breakfast

Georgia Lt Governor Casey Cagle

Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle will speak at a Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber breakfast on May 23 at the Rainwater Conference Center. The Chamber’s Annual Small Business Breakfast is sponsored by CooperCraft Communications and Georgia Power and will be held from 7:30-9 a.m. 

During this breakfast, Lt. Gov. Cagle and Senator Tim Golden will be recognized as the Chamber’s 2013 Champions of Business for their dedication to the passing of HB 318, which authorizes the creation of the $100 million Invest Georgia Fund to help start-up technology firms stay and grow in the state of Georgia.   

Registration is $15 for Chamber members and a corporate table of 10 can be reserved for $120.  Seating is limited so reserve your seat today. Registration can be completed online at www.ValdostaChamber.com or by calling 229-247-8100.

Officers wound man in shootout

Staff reportsThe Valdosta Daily Times