State and local health authorities have alerted the public that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is active in Palm Beach County, in Florida.

The most recent confirmed case resulted in an infected horse being euthanized last week. Reports indicate that the horse was not vaccinated against the virus, and had not travelled in the month leading up to infection. In total this year in Florida, eight horses have been infected in 10 counties.

EEE is a vector-bourne disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, which can cause inflammation of the brain. The Palm Beach County Health Department has reported that the mosquito that carries this virus is generally not found in South Florida, but further north. In addition, they said that horses generally become infected while travelling out of the area.