Friday, October 28, 2011

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS - USA (18): (NEW JERSEY) EQUINE

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A ProMED-mail post



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International Society for Infectious Diseases





Date: Thu 27 Oct 2011

Source: Harnesslink.com [edited]







A 3-year-old horse from Gloucester County was euthanized on 20 Oct

2011 after contracting eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a serious,

mosquito-borne illness in horses.



"With an increase in the state's mosquito population due to rain

storms in the last couple of months, horse owners must be vigilant in

protecting their animals from diseases spread by mosquitoes," said New

Jersey secretary of agriculture Douglas H Fisher. "Horse owners should

contact their veterinarians to have their animals vaccinated against

these illnesses."



This deadly disease is easily prevented by vaccination. Effective

equine vaccines for EEE and another mosquito-borne disease, West Nile

virus (WNV), are available commercially. Horse owners should contact

their veterinarians if their horses are not already up-to-date on

their vaccinations against both EEE and West Nile virus.



The Gloucester County stallion's vaccination status against EEE is

unknown with no report of vaccination in 2011.



EEE causes inflammation of the brain tissue and has a significantly

higher risk of death in horses than West Nile virus infection. West

Nile virus is a viral disease that affects horses' neurological

systems. The disease is transmitted by mosquito bite. The virus cycles

between birds and mosquitoes with horses and humans being incidental

hosts. EEE infections in horses are not a significant risk factor for

human infection because horses (like humans) are considered to be

"dead-end" hosts for the virus.



Earlier this month [October 2011], the 1st case of West Nile virus in

a horse was reported in Monmouth County. The 11-year-old mare was

treated for the disease.



The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection reports that the

exceedingly high levels of precipitation experienced statewide due to

Hurricane Irene and subsequent rainstorms resulted in much higher than

normal mosquito populations. They said the immense amount of

floodwater throughout the state created habitat for those species of

mosquitoes which utilize semi-permanent, standing water for larval

development.



In 2010, New Jersey had 1 case of EEE and 2 cases of equine WNV. All 3

animals were euthanized. [It is also likely all 3 animals were

deficient in their vaccination status. - Mod.TG]



For more information about EEE and West Nile virus in horses, visit

the New Jersey Department of Agriculture website at

.



EEE and West Nile virus, like other viral diseases affecting horses'

neurological systems, must be reported to the state veterinarian at

609-292-3965 within 48 hours of diagnosis.



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail





[The east coast has had a lot of water which is perfect for the

breeding of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are the carrier of this viral

disease. Vaccinations are cheap and easy compared to the agony of

enduring the loss of your pet. Especially with such things as

Hurricane Irene this year (2011) it is difficult to imagine why owners

have not already vaccinated.



Clearly it is still warm and the mosquito threat is still prevalent.

Owners are encouraged to vaccinate their horses. - Mod.TG]



[New Jersey can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive

map at . Gloucester and Monmouth counties

can be seen on the map at

. -

Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]



[see also:

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (17): (WI) equine 20111009.3030

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (16): (MA) human 20111008.3025

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (15): (VT) emu 20110927.2923

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (14): (WI) equine 20110925.2914

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (13): (WI) equine 20110918.2838

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (12): (MI) equine 20110915.2813

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (11): (NY) equine 20110904.2703

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (10): (MA) human 20110904.2701

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (09): (NY) equine 20110830.2664

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (08): (WI) equine 20110825.2586

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (07): canine, human, equine

20110824.2583

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (06): (NY) human, fatal

20110818.2504

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (05): (NY) human, fatal

20110817.2489

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (04): (NY) human 20110814.2462

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (03): (WI) equine, alpaca

20110811.2434

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (02): (WA) corr. 20110807.2395

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA (02): (NY) 20110807.2387

Eastern equine encephalitis - USA: (FL) 20110729.2272]

.................................................sb/tg/mj/dk

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