All of the horses lacked proper vaccination against the Eastern equine encephalomyelitis. Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. | Photo: iStock

A 2-year-old Standardbred gelding in Clark County began showing clinical signs of EEE on Sept. 8. Neurologic signs progressed to recumbency (down and unable to rise), and the horse, which was unvaccinated, subsequently died. He was confirmed positive on Sept. 11. This was Wisconsin’s 11th confirmed equine case of EEE for the year, and Clark County’s first.

On Sept. 2, an undervaccinated 2-year-old Gypsy filly in Price County began showing signs that included ataxia (loss of muscle control), acute-onset depression, and muscle fasciculations (twitching) of the head and neck. The filly was euthanized. She was the state’s 12th confirmed equine case of EEE for 2020, and the County’s first confirmed case this year.

In Oneida County, an unvaccinated 2-year-old Paint filly began showing signs of EEE on Sept. 7. Signs consisted of ataxia, depression, recumbency, and anisocoria. The filly was confirmed positive on Sept. 11 and was euthanized. Her case marked the state’s 13th equine case for the year, and the county’s first