2007 PRESS RELEASES

November 9, 2007
FOURTH CASE OF EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS CONFIRMED IN VIRGINIA
Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm, 804.786.7686

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has confirmed a fourth positive case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The horse, an 18-year-old Appaloosa gelding from Fluvanna County, began showing symptoms in late October of depression, lethargy, ataxia, hypermetria, hypersensitivity to stimulation, recumbency and a fever of 103.2. His vaccination history is unknown.

The first three cases of EEE this year were from Suffolk and Waverly. This is late in the season for a case of EEE but is likely due to the very warm temperatures and heavy mosquito activity into late fall.

VDACS encourages horse owners to work with their veterinarians to develop a vaccination plan that is appropriate for horses where they 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.