July is the peak time for the transmission of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The mosquito-borne viral disease affects horses, humans, and some birds. Its high mortality rate makes it one of the deadliest mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.
Between June 21 and June 27 there were nine positive tests in horses from six different counties in Florida including Bradford, Columbia, and Putnam.
"We see a lot of horse deaths usually earlier in the year than some of the other diseases that mosquitoes transmit,"said Philip Koehler from the University of Florida Department of Entomology.
According to the state health department, Eastern Equine Encephalitis activity has been reported in 26 counties. Six counties are under mosquito-borne illness advisories.
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