After a mild winter, Louisiana already has reported its first case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), or "sleeping sickness" in a six-year-old unvaccinated Shetland pony in Vernon Parish, adjacent to Texas’ Newton County. "We recommend that owners have their equine vaccinated against this mosquito-borne disease, if they live east of Interstate 35, or if they plan to travel to the area with their animals," said Dr. Terry Beals, Texas’ state veterinarian and executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state’s livestock health regulatory agency.

"Veterinarians in Texas should report any cases to the TAHC or to the Texas Department of Health, so the incidence of the disease can be tracked."

Dr. Joe Garrett, a veterinary epidemiologist with the Zoonosis Control Division of the Texas Department of Health, said encephalitis cases in equine signal public health authorities that infected mosquitoes are or have been in the vicinity. Although no cases have been reported in Texas in 20 years, humans also can contract the virus from infected mosquitoes. He advised that ordinary precautions be taken, such as controlling pests and wearing mosquito repellent. Symptoms of the infection in humans include fever, headache, vomiting, lethargy, neck stiffness, convulsions and coma.

Equids affected by "sleeping sickness" or encephalitis develop central nervous system disorders, such as an irregular gait and circling, grinding of the teeth, drowsiness, and an inability to swallow. Affected animals may have paralysis of the limbs and be unable to rise. The TAHC and public health officials advise owners to have symptomatic animals tested, because the signs for rabies and "sleeping sickness" often mimic each other, and appropriate preventive measures must be taken, if an owner is exposed to rabies. In addition to horses, donkeys and mules, many species of birds, such as emus, ostriches and rheas also are susceptible to the "sleeping sickness" virus