The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Health on Saturday warned Pennsylvanians to take precautionary measures against mosquito bites for themselves and their animals — specifically horses — as the rare mosquito-transmitted viral infection Eastern equine encephalitis has been confirmed in Erie, Carbon and Monroe counties.

Eastern equine encephalitis is a virus carried by birds. If a mosquito bites an infected bird, it can then transmit the potentially fatal virus to humans, horses and other birds. Because of the high mortality rate in horses and humans, Eastern equine encephalitis is regarded as one of he most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.

Through mid-September, there have been 18 cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control from across the country in 2019, with the majority of the cases in northeastern or mid-Atlantic states. Several cases have been fatal.

When outdoors, people can avoid mosquito bites by properly and consistently using DEET-containing insect repellents and covering exposed skin with lightweight clothing. To keep mosquitoes from entering a home, make sure window and door screens are in place and are in good condition.

Homeowners should take steps to eliminate standing water around their property to reduce mosquito populations.

Some steps you can take include removing tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or any object that could collect standing water; having roof gutters cleaned annually, particularly if leaves from nearby trees have a tendency to clog the drains; turning over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use; not letting water stagnate in bird baths; aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with fish; cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools and removing standing water from pool covers; using landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property; treating standing water that cannot be eliminated with Bti products, which are sold at outdoor supply, home improvement, and other stores.

The symptoms of Eastern equine encephalitis are high fever (103 to 106 degrees), a stiff neck, headache and lack of energy.

These symptoms typically show up three to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, can develop. The disease gets worse quickly, and some patients could end up in a coma within a week. This disease can also be fatal, as three out of every 10 people who get the disease die from it.

In addition to taking precautions to eliminate standing water on their properties, horse owners are encouraged to proactively vaccinate against both Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile Virus, keep animals indoors at night, and spray for mosquitoes.

Vaccines for Eastern, Western, Venezuelan, and Eastern equine encephalitis are available from veterinarians.

The onset of symptoms in horses starts with a fever that may reach as high as 106 degrees for one to two days. Additional symptoms can include an abnormal gait, aimless wandering, circling, difficulty breathing, drooping ears, drowsiness, head pressing, hyperactivity, inability to swallow, paralysis, restlessness, sensitivity to sound, and death.

Pennsylvania's recently confirmed cases include a wild turkey, pheasants, and horses. Pennsylvanians are encouraged to take every precaution to protect against this rare, neurological disease and immediately contact their physician or veterinarian if symptoms are present.

For information, visit health.pa.gov or agriculture.pa.gov.