(COLDWATER) – A case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been confirmed in St. Joseph County.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency says they’ve been notified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development along with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Laboratories of the case.

Paul Andriacchi, the CHA Director of Environmental Health, says this discovery underscores the need for both horse owners and Michigan residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their horses from mosquito bites.

With this new case, he says the animal was an unvaccinated 3 year old filly who died from the infection. Andriacchi says vaccinating horses can prevent EEE and West Nile Virus which are both mosquito-borne diseases.

To protect your animals: Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating horses against EEE; Place horses in a barn under fans during peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn; Use an insect repellent on the animals that is approved for the species; Eliminate standing water on the property; and Contact your veterinarian if a horse shows signs of the illness, which includes loss of awareness of their surroundings, walk in circles, exhibit muscle paralysis, stupor, lethargy, and being uncoordinated.

To protect yourself and your family: Use EPA registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, and 2-undecanone; Wearing shoes and socks, light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors; Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens; and Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.