 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Revised: 05/22/2008 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health
Memo To: Veterinarians and Agricultural Related Industries From: State Veterinarian Nancy E. Halpern, DVM Date: August 9, 2005 Re: First Horse in New Jersey Diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis in 2005
The illness of a 2-year-old quarter horse mare in Gloucester County has been attributed to infection with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). This is the first diagnosis of EEE in a horse in New Jersey this year. The horse became ill on July 31, 2005. The horse's condition steadily declined and the animal succumbed to the illness. Samples were sent to the NJ Diagnostic Laboratory, which confirmed EEE. In 2004, there were 6 confirmed cases of EEE in horses, one of those having concurrent West Nile virus infections. EEE is a rare but serious disease that causes an inflammation of the brain tissue. Young horses lacking the protection afforded by vaccination are particularly susceptible to infection. EEE has a significantly higher risk of death than West Nile infection. It is recommended that horses are current on their vaccinations for EEE and West Nile virus. It is important to note that the vaccine for West Nile virus does not protect horses against EEE, or vice versa.
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
