Louisiana Horse Tests Positive for Both EEE, WNV

The 2-year-old horse was euthanized after testing positive for both EEE and WNV.
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A 2-year-old horse residing in Maurepas in Livingston Parish, La., has reportedly tested positive for both Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) and was humanely euthanized by a local veterinarian.

Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM, with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, is strongly advising horse owners to vaccinate their animals for EEE and WNV. Reports indicate that the horse was not vaccinated.

“Heavy rainfall, which we’ve had in recent weeks, creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes which can carry both EEE and WNV,” said Strain. “Just like humans, horses are infected the same way—by being bitten by infected mosquitoes. I urge horse owners to get their horses vaccinated. Contact your local veterinarian regarding proper vaccination protocols.”

Clinical signs for WNV include flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed; fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculations (twitching); hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound); changes in mentation (mentality), when horses look like they are daydreaming or "just not with it"; occasional somnolence (drowsiness); propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often without control); and "spinal" signs, including asymmetrical weakness. Some horses show asymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia. Equine mortality rate can be as high as 30-40%

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