A viral disease, EEE is transmitted to equids by infected mosquitoes and causes brain and spinal cord inflammation. | Photo: iStock

On Aug. 10 the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced that a horse from Suffolk has tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). This is the first confirmed case of EEE in Virginia horses this year.

The affected Quarter Horse mare received treatment at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine large animal hospital in late July, however she subsequently died. The hospital received the positive EEE test result yesterday Aug. 9.

The mare was incompletely vaccinated. That is, she had received initial vaccination against EEE, but not the follow-up booster, the VDACS said