Wellington-Dufferin counties health unit said a horse has been infected by Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV), likely as a result of a mosquito bite.
The virus is present locally because the horse has stayed
home, the health unit said.
It is the first confirmation of EEEV in a horse in
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelp, and no human cases have ever been reported in the
region.
EEEV is a rare but potentially serious mosquito-borne virus.
While it mainly
affects horses and poses low risk to humans, severe cases can be
life-threatening.
