In spite of cooling weather across the US, reports of contagious horse dlseases including West Nile disease and Eastern equine encephaltis are being reported during late September and early October.
A sick horse
In spite of cooling weather across the US, reports of contagious horse dlseases including West Nile disease and Eastern equine encephaltis are being reported during late September and early October.
In Wisconsin cases of Eastern equine encephalitis have been reported in Waupaca, Langlade, Monroe, Chippewa, Eau Claire, Taylor, and Forest Counties. The EDCC reports that all of the horses have been euthanized or died on their own. All of the horses are reported as nonvaccinates or under vaccinated.
In Waupaca County, an 8-yr.-old Quarter Horse mare, that was not vaccinated; was staggering and went down vocalizing with its tongue out was euthanized on 9/21/16.
In Langlade County an 11-yr.-old Quarter Horse mare, that was not vaccinated this year became non-ambulatory with a wry neck and was beginning to have seizures. She was euthanized on 9/25/16.
In Monroe County a 2-yr.-old Quarter Horse mare, either nonvaccinated or under vaccinated was noted to be head-pressing, lethargic, and ataxic and was euthanized on 9/18/16.
In Chippewa County a 1-yr.-old filly that was under-vaccinated with no vaccine this year became ill and initially presented on 9/24/16. Horse was febrile, depressed, lethargic, weak, with seizure-like activity and went down 9/26 and died 9/27.
In Eau Claire County an 8-yr.-old under-vaccinated, possibly vaccinated 5 yrs. ago, miniature horse mare presented symptoms on 9/26/16, and was wobbly, depressed, decreased appetite, circling to left, twitching, and head pressing, then went down late 9/28 and was euthanized on 9/29/p>
In Taylor County a 13-yr.-old-unvaccinated Percheron mare began having symptoms on 9/23/16 with hind limb weakness, stumbling and went down and was euthanized on 9/24/16.
In Forest County another miniature horse, vaccination history unknown also died in late Septemger. This makes 17 confirmed positive equine EEE cases in WI this year
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has confirmed the states 20th case of equine West Nile Virus as of 10/5/2016. 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.
The Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine has confirmed a 19th case of WNV in Benton County. The vaccinated 22 year old QH gelding began showing hind leg incoordination on August 16th and was just recently diagnosed due to persisting clinical signs. The horse continues to show hind leg incoordination when carrying a rider.
On October 10, a horse in Chippewa County, WI, also tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis. The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reported the positive test results. There have been no reported cases of EEE found in humans since 2011, the department added.
âPresence of a EEE positive horse confirms that there are mosquitoes in the area infected with the EEE virus that can transmit the virus to people and other animals,â the Chippewa County Public Health Department wrote.
The virus is not transmitted person to person.
Horse owners can have their horses vaccinated to prevent the disease. Common symptoms of an animal with the virus include signs of depression, droopy eyelids, loss of appetite and blindness.
The Health Department recommends limiting the time animals are outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. The department also suggests trimming tall grass and keeping animals away from standing water.