Florida Confirms Its 18th Equine Case of EEE
The horse, whose vaccination history is unknown, was euthanized.
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On Sept. 17, the 2-year-old Quarter Horse mare with an unknown vaccination history presented with clinical signs consisting of fever, depression, head pressing, muscle twitching, and inability to stand. She was humanely euthanized. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons
This is Florida’s 18th confirmed case of EEE in an equine in Florida for 2020.
EEE 101
Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, for which wild birds are a natural reservoir. Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. Horses do not develop high enough levels of these viruses in their blood to be contagious to other animals or humans. Because of the high mortality rate in horses and humans, EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.
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Diane Rice earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism from the University of Wisconsin, then married her education with her lifelong passion for horses by working in editorial positions at Appaloosa Journal for 12 years. She has also served on the American Horse Publications’ board of directors. She now freelances in writing, editing, and proofreading. She lives in Middleton, Idaho, and spends her spare time gardening, reading, serving in her church, and spending time with her daughters, their families, and a myriad of her own and other people’s pets.
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