According to the Equine Disease Communication Center, late October finds cases of contagious equine diseases including West Nile virus, Strangles and Eastern equine encephalitis continuing to occur in several areas of the USA
A sick horse
Late October 2016 finds cases of contagious equine diseases including West Nile virus, Strangles and Eastern equine encephalitis continuing to occur in several areas of the country.
On 10/25/2016, cases of West Nile virus were reported in Choctaw, Payne, Beckham, and Atoka Counties, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture has confirmed four more WNV positive horses this week bringing the total up to 9 for 2016.
- A 8yr pony gelding located in Choctaw County was showing severe neurologic signs, including leg paralysis, and was euthanized. The pony was not vaccinated for WNV.
- A yearling QH filly located in Payne County was showing moderate neurologic signs, including hind limb ataxia. The horse was not vaccinated for WNV.
- A 16yr QH gelding located in Beckham County was showing mild neurologic signs and is recovering. The horse was not vaccinated for WNV.
- A 7yr QH gelding located in Atoka County was showing severe neurologic signs, including hind limb paralysis and was euthanized. Vaccination history is unknown.
On 10/25/2016, one premise in Miami-Dade County, Florida was placed under quarantine for strangles. Clinical signs began Oct 18. No animals have left the facility since clinical signs began. This is the fourth case in Miami-Dade County and the 21st case for Florida in 2016.
Also on 10/25/2016, a case of West Nile virus was confirmed in Palm Beach County, Florida. The donkey had no vaccine history and was imported from a Louisiana auction into Florida on October 16 with no clinical signs.
Clinical signs began on October 18 and currently the donkey is recovering. This is the first confirmed WNV case in Palm Beach County and the second confirmed case in Florida for 2016. Given the travel history and incubation period for WNV, the donkey most likely did not acquire WNV in Palm Beach County.
On 10/18/2016, a new case of Eastern equine encephalitis was confirmed in Osceola County, Florida. The 4 year old grade maleâs vaccination history is unknown and he had no recent travel history. Clinical signs began on October 9 and the horse was euthanized for humane reasons one day later. This is the fifth confirmed EEE case in Osceola County and case 21 in Florida for 2016.
In California, the Department of Food and Agriculture has confirmed the states 20th case of equine West Nile Virus. An unvaccinated 6 month old Quarter Horse filly in San Joaquin County, California displaying neurologic signs was confirmed positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The filly is recovering.