A horse tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Marion County. That means reidents should be concerned about mosquito-borne illnesses.

The Florida Dept. of Health in Marion County said a horse in the Sparr area tested positive for EEE. The disease is transmitted through mosquitoes and humans can get sick as well.

That means protecting yourself from mosquitoes. The health dept. wants you to remember these tips:

  • Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.
  • Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
  • Empty and clean birdbaths and pets' water bowls at least once or twice a week.
  • Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
  • Maintain swimming pools in good condition and appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use. 
  • Clothing—Wear shoes, socks and long pants and long-sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
  • Repellent—Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.
  • Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective.
  • Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
  • Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches and patios.

For more information on which repellent is right for you, check out the Environmental Protection Agency's search tool.

The state routinely checks for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, Malaria and Dengue. You can find more information on those illnesses at the Florida Health Dept.'s website.