Make sure you vaccinate your horses in 2024.
An unvaccinated 28-year-old mare in Ocean County, N.J., had to be euthanized after becoming the third confirmed case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in the state for 2023 .
She suffered from depression, front and rear ataxia, disorientation and falling. EEE cases also were diagnosed in Gloucester and Salem Counties in September and October.
Although the disease usually appears during mosquito season, this case occurred beyond the expected mosquito-borne disease season for New Jersey. The horse had no recent travel history, indicating that the disease was transmitted within the state. Based off the clinical history, it is possible that exposure to EEE occurred during a period of warmer than average temperatures in the area at the end of mosquito season.
Livestock owners are strongly encouraged to vaccinate against West Nile Virus, EEE, and other mosquito-borne diseases. Effective equine vaccines for EEE and WNV are available commercially. Horse owners should contact their veterinarians if their horses are not up to date on their vaccinations against both EEE and WNV.
“We continue to encourage horse owners to be vigilant in vaccinating their animals against these diseases spread by mosquitoes,” New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joseph Atchison III said.
“Vaccinated animals are much less likely to contract deadly diseases such as EEE and West Nile Virus.”
For more information about EEE in horses, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture website at this LINK
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.