REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (AP) - State officials say the Eastern equine encephalitis virus has been found in a horse in Ohio.

Ohio Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Forshey says the confirmed case was in northeastern Ohio’s Ashtabula County.

Forshey says the disease is transmitted to horses by mosquitoes and attacks a horse’s central nervous system. It’s usually fatal to the affected animal. Symptoms include unsteadiness, erratic behavior, a marked loss of coordination and seizures.

Forshey says the virus also can cause serious illness in people and other animals such as poultry and deer. He urges horse owners to contact a licensed veterinarian to ensure that their horses’ vaccinations and boosters are up to date.

State officials say there have been no reports of any human cases associated with the latest outbreak in Ohio.

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