2007 PRESS RELEASES

September 18, 2007
THIRD CASE OF EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS CONFIRMED IN VIRGINIA
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has confirmed a third positive case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).  The horse, a two-year-old Standardbred colt, was from Waverly, which is in Sussex County.  It developed neurologic symptoms on September 1, 2007 and was euthanized September 2.  Symptoms included depression, failure to eat or drink, an elevated temperature, forelimb muscle disorder, circling and incoordination.  The horse had not been vaccinated for EEE.  The first two cases of EEE this year were both from Suffolk

VDACS encourages horse owners to work with their veterinarians to develop a vaccination plan that is appropriate for horses where their horses are stabled.  Some equine veterinarians recommend that horses in their practice area be vaccinated for encephalitis every six months because of the disease occurrence and mosquito populations in the area.  Horse owners traveling to high encephalitis incidence areas for shows or other events should also check with their veterinarians to decide if their immunization plan is adequate.

Generally, EEE is 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 generally 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.

For more information, please contact the VDACS Division of Animal and Food Industry Services/State Veterinarian at 804.692.0601 or consult your local veterinarian.