| The cause of Eastern
Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a virus called eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus carried by
mosquitoes. EEE is a fatal disease to humans and horses. The virus is normally found only in wild birds and mosquitoes
that live in and around wooded swamps
“black-swamp-mosquito”, Culiseta melanura," is found. On the average there
are 50-70 horse cases each year in Florida. There are typically only one or two human cases each year in Florida. The virus may cause a temperature, and perhaps a minor illness similar
to a cold or flu in humans. Unfortunately, many cases are fatal, and nearly all
survivors have some residual effects, particularly
mental impairment. There is no specific treatment or cure for EEE in
humans or horses, but there is a vaccine against the disease available for
horses. It
is important to follow your veterinarians advice on vaccinating your
horses from this destructive disease. |