Senator Ritchie with Dr. Jack Zeh and Christy Tupper, a licensed veterinary technician in Dr. Zeh’s office. Photo courtesy of Sen. Ritchie's office.

NEW YORK -- State Senator Patty Ritchie is sponsoring two free Eastern Equine Encephalitis vaccine clinics that are geared toward horses. The goal is to raise awareness about EEE, and prevent its spread. The mosquito-borne disease killed several horses in our region last year, and four-year-old Maggie Sue Glenister Wilcox of New Haven also died last August after contracting EEE.

One clinic was held Thursday. Another is set for Friday evening in New Haven.

If you own a horse and would like to participate, you’re asked to pre-register at Senator Ritchie’s website at www.ritchie.nysenate.gov. The clinics are being run by two licensed veterinarians, who are waiving any additional fees for their services.

There is no human vaccine for EEE, but the horse vaccine is nearly 100 percent effective.