The Kentucky State Veterinarian’s office announced Saturday (Oct. 19) that a horse residing in Carlisle County tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) late on Oct. 18. This is the second EEE case reported in Kentucky this year.

A statement from Kentucky Equine Programs manager E.S. "Rusty" Ford relayed that on Oct. 10, the unvaccinated 17-year-old Quarter Horse mare presented in an acute recumbent state and was unable to rise, eat, or drink. The mare survived for 24 hours before she died naturally, Ford’s statement said.

In August, an unvaccinated Tennessee Walking Horse gelding from Hart County died after contracting EEE.

A viral disease, EEE affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Its fatality rate in horses is 75-95%. The course of EEE can be swift, with death occurring two to three days after onset of clinical signs despite intensive care. Horses that survive might have long-lasting impairments and neurologic problems

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.