This disease is caused by a virus that is associated with wild birds. Since 1959, this disease has become the most common mosquito-borne disease of humans in Florida.
Epidemics cause disruption of activities of residents, and causes reduction of tourism.
Nighttime activities such as football games often must be curtailed during outbreaks. Economic loss to the state by this disease is not easy to quantify, but probably has been considerable. This disease also is associated with wild birds and also is caused by a virus. The disease can be fatal to humans, horses, and exotic birds. There are rarely more than one or two human cases of Eastern Encephalitis per year in Florida.