EEE Confirmed in Two Wisconsin Counties

One horse died, one was euthanized. Both were unvaccinated against Eastern equine encephalomyelitis.
Share
Favorite
Close

No account yet? Register

ADVERTISEMENT

EEE Confirmed in Two Wisconsin Counties
Because of the high mortality rate in horses and humans, EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. | Photo: iStock
Officials at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP) recently confirmed two horses—one in Clark County and one in Taylor County—with Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE).

Both affected horses experienced onset of clinical signs on Oct. 7. The Clark County horse, a 2-year-old Standardbred filly that was unvaccinated against EEE, presented with weakness, ataxia (incoordination), and recumbency (down and unable to rise). She is deceased.

The Taylor County horse, a 4-year-old Standardbred mare that was also unvaccinated against EEE, showed neurologic signs that included ataxia, recumbency, and seizures. She was euthanized due to the severity of her symptoms.

These cases mark the state’s ninth and 10th equines confirmed with EEE in 2021, and each county’s first confirmed case this year.

EEE 101

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, for which wild birds are a natural reservoir. Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. Horses do not develop high enough levels of these viruses in their blood to be contagious to other animals or humans. Because of the high mortality rate in horses and humans, EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.

Health Alert: EEE, WEE, and VEE
VIDEO | Health Alert: EEE, WEE, and VEE

Tips for preventing mosquito-borne diseases include:

  • Avoid mosquito bites: Use insect repellent when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn.
  • Look for EPA-labeled products containing active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin (KBR3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane 3,8-diol).
  • Apply more repellent, according to label instructions, if mosquitoes start to bite.
  • Mosquito-proof homes: Fix or install window and door screens, and cover or eliminate empty containers with standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
  • Protect your horses: Veterinarians recommend commercially available licensed vaccines against EEE for all horses in the U.S. Horses should be vaccinated at least annually (recommendations vary in high-risk areas). It’s not too late this year to vaccinate your horses.
  • Use approved insect repellents to protect horses.
  • If possible, put horses in stables, stalls, or barns during the prime mosquito exposure hours of dusk and dawn.
  • Eliminate standing water, drain water troughs, and empty buckets at least weekly.
  • Stock water tanks with fish that consume mosquito larvae (contact your local mosquito control for assistance), or use mosquito “dunks” (solid “donuts” of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, which are nontoxic to horses) available at hardware stores.

Share

Written by:

Related Articles

Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with

FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com

Sponsored Content

Weekly Poll

sponsored by:

How much time do you usually spend grooming your horse?
440 votes · 440 answers

Readers’ Most Popular

Sign In

Don’t have an account? Register for a FREE account here.

Need to update your account?

You need to be logged in to fill out this form

Create a free account with TheHorse.com!