S. Georgia counties report 6 Equine Encephalitis cases

VALDOSTA - The Georgia Division of Public Health has confirmed six positive cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in horses in five south Georgia counties.

South Health District spokeswoman Courtney Sheeley says nine cases of the mosquito-borne virus have been confirmed in horses in Georgia so far this year. She said Thursday that's up from a total of six cases in the state for all of last year.

Sheeley says the most recent cases were two in Lowndes County, with one case each in Berrien, Brooks, Cook and Lanier counties. Earlier cases were in Brantley, Long and Wayne counties.

Lowndes County Manager Joe Pritchard says the Public Works Department began increasing mosquito spraying in the areas of the outbreak as soon as the county was notified.

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On the Net:

CDC. http://www.cdc.gov

South Health District. http://www.southhealthdistrict.com

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/6/210935