A 4-year-old Atlantic County mare who had not been vaccinated was euthanized after contracting the state’s first 2020 reported case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a serious mosquito-borne illness.
EEE causes inflammation of the brain tissue and has a significantly higher risk of death in horses than the West Nile Virus, which affects the neurological system.
The disease is transmitted by a mosquito. 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 “dead-end” hosts for the virus. There have been no reported animal West Nile Virus cases in New Jersey this year.
In general, most regions in New Jersey have a reported mosquito population below the running five-year averages. The first EEE positive mosquito pool was detected in Atlantic County this year. Livestock owners are encouraged to vaccinate against WNV, EEE and other osquito-borne diseases.
“Animals that are vaccinated against EEE and West Nile Virus are much less likely to contract these diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher said.
“We strongly encourage horse owners to stay current on vaccinations for their animals to help prevent them from contracting an illness that has the potential to be fatal to these animals.”
For more information about EEE in horses, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture web site at: http://bit.ly/1VE8lsm.
EEE and West Nile virus, like other viral diseases affecting a horse’s neurological system, must be reported to the state veterinarian at 609-671-6400 within 48 hours of diagnosis. The New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory is available to assist with EEE and WNV testing and can be reached at 609-406-6999 or via email – jerseyvetlab@ag.nj.gov.