The Equine Disease Communication Center is reporting new cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus in several states during late September and October 2018.
Horses suffering in inclement weather
Equine Disease Communication Center is reporting new cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus in several states.
© 2017 by Elliot Moore
The New York State Department of Agriculture has reported 3 confirmed cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and one of West Nile virus. An unvaccinated 3-month old-filly from Williamstown, NY (Oswego Co) became ill around 9/24/18. She exhibited mild symptoms of ataxia for over a week before a vet was contacted. On 10/3/18, she was euthanized. Her brain was submitted for rabies, EEE and WNV testing. Her brain sample was positive for EEE virus.
Two confirmed cases of equine Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a 3-year-old, unvaccinated mare from Nunda, NY (Livingston Co) began showing signs of hindlimb weakness on October 11th, 2018 which progressed over a few days. As of 10/19/18, she is alive and still showing signs of ataxia despite medical care. Blood samples confirmed her WNV infection. An 8-year-old, unvaccinated gelding from Clymer, NY (Chautauqua Co) became ill on October 13th, 2018. The owner reported that the horse was weak and stiff in limbs and acting abnormal. By 10/14 the horse was down, unable to use its legs. The horse was euthanized due to poor quality of life. Blood samples were taken and confirmed EEE infection.
In the first week of October, the California Department of Food and Agriculture confirmed its 9th and 10th equine West Nile Virus cases for 2018. On October 1, 2018, a 6 year old Quarter Horse gelding with unknown vaccination status, in San Joaquin county, displaying neurologic signs was confirmed positive for West Nile Virus. The gelding was euthanized due to severity of neurologic symptoms.
On October 4, 2018, a 2 year old vaccinated Quarter Horse mare in Merced county, displaying neurologic signs was confirmed positive for West Nile Virus. The mare is alive and recovering. For 2018, a total of ten (10) horses have been confirmed positive for West Nile Virus. The positive horses were located in Amador, Kern, Merced (2), Placer, Sacramento (2), San Joaquin, Shasta and Stanislaus counties.
Five (5) horses were unvaccinated, two (2) horses had an unknown vaccine history, and three (3) horses were vaccinated. Five (5) horses died or were euthanized and five (5) horses are alive.
The Office of the Delaware State Veterinarian has confirmed one case of West Nile Virus in Kent County. A 6-year-old, unvaccinated Belgian mare displayed neurological clinical signs from October 12-18, 2018. Diagnostic testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed WNV on 10/23/18.
The mare displayed whole body stiffness (acting sore), and abnormal mentation, described as extreme aggression towards the reporting veterinarian during handling. The aggression was atypical for this animal, which is normally very gentle. When first seen on 10/14/18, the horse was afebrile, was not ataxic, was not weak or wobbly, and was lacking notable muscle fasciculations.
With 3-4 days of anti-inflammatory treatment, the horse improved markedly and was back to normal by 10/18/18.
The Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian has confirmed several cases of equine West Nile virus. In Lewis County, a 20-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding with no WNV vaccination history presented with rear limb ataxia, muzzle fasciculations, and inappetence on October 11th, 2018.
On 10/16/18 the attending veterinarian reported patient is continuing to improve. A 17-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare with no WNV vaccination history showed an onset of clinical signs on 10/11/18 including ataxia and muzzle fasciculations. On 10/16 the attending veterinarian reported that the patient is continuing to improve.
The Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian has also reported a confirmed case of equine West Nile virus in Magoffin County . A 5-year-olf Kentucky Mountain Horse gelding with no vaccination history presented on October 10th, 2018 with muscle fasciculation, lethargy, and inappetence. As of 10/17 the horse was described as much improved and does have a favorable prognosis.
In addition, the Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian has confirmed another case of equine West Nile virus. A 7-year-old Quarter Horse mare with no vaccination history in Barren County showed an onset of clinical signs on September 9th, 2018 including fever, ataxia, and little tongue tone. The horse responded well to treatment and on 10/23 was described as fully recovered. This is the 13th case of equine WNV confirmed in KY for 2018.
Also, a 3-year-old Quarter Horse gelding on Carlisle County showed an onset of clinical signs on October 22nd, 2018 including lethargy and rear limb ataxia. On the evening of October 25th the horse was described as much improved with a favorable prognosis.
WNV Vacc History is currently unknown. It is thought the horse might have received a single vaccination in the spring by another veterinarian. The attending veterinarian is checking to confirm if the patient was or wasn’t vaccinated.
Press release by Equine Disease Communication Center