Press Release Contact(s):
Liz Compton
(850) 488-3022
comptol@doacs.state.fl.us

June 28, 2010

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson is urging horse owners to get their animals vaccinated following an upsurge in the number of Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases. Sentinel chickens that serve as an early warning of the existence of the disease are also being diagnosed with EEE in areas of the state that are not usually affected.

So far this year there have been 16 confirmed cases of EEE in horses. While that is not an unusually high number, seven of the cases were all reported on Wednesday, June 23 from counties scattered throughout the state.

“Most of the cases have been in the central and north central part of the state which is normal,” Bronson said. “But we are also seeing increased EEE and WNV activity in sentinel chickens in the southern part of the state, including Martin County which has not had EEE detected in 30 years. In addition, there has been a confirmed case of EEE in a horse in both Collier and Okeechobee Counties. So I want to remind horse owners of the importance of getting their animals vaccinated.”

EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. The disease is fatal in horses in 90 percent of the cases. Bronson says the majority of cases of EEE and other mosquito borne diseases can be prevented through proper vaccinations. Horse owners are urged to check with their veterinarian to make sure their animals have received current vaccinations and booster shots against EEE and West Nile Virus, and that these shots are kept up to date.

There are ongoing efforts to keep the mosquito populations down but because there is no fool proof method to prevent the diseases, vaccinations are critical.

-30-

riders4helmets National Helmet Awareness Day July 10th, 2010.

 

Helmet Manufacturers to offer discounts through participating retailers

Aurora, OH (June 17, 2010) — The riders4helmets campaign operated by helmet advocate Jeri Bryant and supported by SUCCEED®, has organized a National Helmet Awareness Day endorsed by the United States Equestrian Federation, to be held on July 10th, 2010. riders4helmets has teamed up with leading helmet manufacturers to offer discounts on helmets to equestrians via participating retailers Nationwide on this day. Helmet brands that are to be included in the promotion to date include: Troxel, Charles Owen, GPA and Aegis (Devon-Aire). Visit www.riders4helmets.com to locate a participating retailer near you.

An official event to celebrate National Helmet Awareness Day will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY that will be a fun-filled educational event, featuring experts in safety and leading equestrians. More details will be announced on this shortly.

John Hall, President of Freedom Health, LLC, manufacturers of SUCCEED®, said “The National Helmet Awareness Day is an educational event that we hope will become an annual event on the calendar. The riders4helmets campaign goal is to provide information to equestrians on the benefits of wearing a helmet, in order that they can then make an informed choice for their own safety. We’re proud to support this.”

Kemble O’Donnell who lost her 12-year old daughter Christen as a result of head injuries sustained from a riding accident in 1998, welcomed the National Helmet Awareness Day and riders4helmets campaign. I am grateful to riders4helmets for launching this campaign to highlight the importance of always wearing a ASTM/SEI certified helmet while in the saddle.”

Roy Burek, CEO, of Charles Owen who are participating in the event by offering special pricing on their helmets through participating retailers on July 10th stated “Everyone knows that wearing a helmet for every ride makes the most sense. Charles Owen would like to ensure that on this first National Helmet Awareness Day, price is no longer a barrier to wearing the safest.” GPA Helmets is another helmet manufacturer that is participating in National Helmet Awareness Day. “GPA is thrilled to be a part of the riders4helmets National Helmet Awareness Day,” said Stuart Bassin, Vice-President, Frantisi Incorporated. “We are very concerned with rider safety which is a large part of why we are in the helmet business! We are also happy to be participating along with many of our dealers in being able to extend never before offered discounts to riders on this special day.”

“National Helmet Awareness Day is an important event that Troxel is proud to support”, said Shay Timms, CEO of Troxel. “Since Troxel developed the first ASTM/SEI certified helmet in 1992, our engineers and R&D team with over 75 years of combined helmet experience have reviewed thousands of accident helmets. The reality is helmets are strikingly effective, reducing head injuries by up to 80%. Equestrian athletes are moving to overcome a natural and understandable resistance to protective helmets, and National Helmet Awareness Day is a significant step forward in helmet acceptance.” Andres Lendoiro, Vice President of Devon Aire added, “Devon-Aire is pleased to support and participate In both National Helmet Awareness Day and the riders4helmets campaign by offering promotions through participating Devon-Aire retailers on the Aegis helmet on July 10th. The safety of our customers is Devon-Aire’s primary concern.”

Individuals or organizations wishing to hold their own event to recognize National Helmet Awareness Day may email lwhite@freedomhealthllc.com for helmet awareness graphics and other support materials. “You don’t physically have to attend the event at the Kentucky Horse Park to participate in Helmet Awareness Day,” said Jeri Bryant, co-founder of the riders4helmets campaign. “You can participate and show your support just by wearing a helmet on July 10th, no matter whether you are trail riding, showing or competing.”

The www.riders4helmets.com campaign has already received the official endorsement of USEF, USEA, USDF, ARIA, EAF, CHA, PRO, EMSA and many leading equestrians such as Robert Dover, Lendon Gray, Ilse Schwarz, Allison Springer and more. The website homepage is a blog that will be updated frequently with news regarding the campaign.

SUCCEED® Digestive Conditioning Program is an official product sponsor of USEF, USDF and USEA. It is produced and distributed exclusively by Freedom Health, LLC of Aurora, Ohio. The company is focused on finding, perfecting and delivering superior, innovative products that address real and significant health-related issues for animals and the people who care for them. Visit www.succeed-equine.com for further information.

Media Contact:
Patrick Warczak, Jr.
330-562-0888
pwarczak@freedomhealthllc.com