Virginia confirms first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in horse in 2008
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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES NEWS RELEASE
Published: September 29, 2008
Read the news release below
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has confirmed the first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse this year. The 15-month old male pony was from Virginia Beach and was unvaccinated for EEE. He was sick for two days with a high fever and abnormal neurologic signs, euthanized on September 19 and samples were taken to the VDACS Regional Animal Health Laboratory in Ivor for necropsy on September 26, 2008.
So far this year there have been no reported cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in horses in Virginia. In 2007, Virginia had one case each of EEE and WNV, both reported in June.
VDACS’ State Veterinarian encourages horse owners to work with their veterinarians to plan a vaccination schedule that will protect their horses from EEE.
Generally, both EEE and WNV are transmitted by mosquitoes. Typical symptoms include staggering, circling, depression, loss of appetite and sometimes fever and blindness. There is no cure for the disease, but it can be prevented through vaccination. Other prevention methods include destroying standing water breeding sites for mosquitoes, use of insect repellents and removing animals from mosquito-infested areas during peak biting times, usually dusk to dawn.
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