Recent reports of several horses dying from Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) serve as a reminder that horse owners should make sure their horses are vaccinated.

“We’ve always recommended that horse owners in Oklahoma vaccinate for it as a preventive measure,” said Carolynn MacAllister, DVM, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension veterinarian.

EEE is spread by mosquitoes. Veterinarians recommend that horses be vaccinated to protect against mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Eastern and Western equine encephalitis as part of their routine health care program.

“It takes a week to 10 days after vaccination for a horse to develop protective antibodies,” MacAllister said. “Booster shots should be administered as directed to maintain the highest level of protection