East Texas East Texas residents are being urged to take extra precautions against mosquitoes following confirmation of several animal cases of eastern equine encephalitis in Cherokee, Jasper, Harrison and Rusk counties. The viral illness, transmitted by some species of mosquitoes, attacks the central nervous system, causes inflammation of the brain and can be fatal to animals and humans. Wild birds serve as reservoirs for the virus.
Mosquitoes bite the birds and then can transmit the virus to humans and animals.
Laboratory tests have confirmed eastern equine encephalitis in one horse in Rusk County, one in Harrison County, one in Cherokee County and in an emu in Jasper County. Additional animal cases are suspected but not confirmed. Health officials said 30 emus in a flock of 40 in Jasper County died from the illness. Dozens of cases of eastern equine encephalitis in horses and emus have been reported in 15 Louisiana parishes in recent weeks. Last year Texas recorded two animal cases of the viral illness.