Eastern equine encephalitis is transferred to horses through the bite of mosquitoes
Two confirmed and several suspected cases of Eastern equine encephalitis, a deadly disease in horses that is transferred through mosquito bites, have been found in Tift County.
Eastern equine encephalitis is a virus endemic to the bird population but is transferred to horses through the bite of mosquitoes. Horses are considered a “dead-end” host and cannot pass the virus on to other horses or humans.
Angie McDaniel, a veterinarian at Branch’s Veterinary Clinic, said clinical signs of Eastern equine encephalitis include severe depression characterized by an unwillingness to eat or drink; ataxia, a weakness in the hind limbs; confusion, circling or stumbling; and head-pressing, a behavior that involves the animals walking up to fences or trees and putting their heads against it.
“Eastern equine encephalitis, which is what we are seeing at this time, is about 90 percent fatal. It’s so dangerous because there is no real treatment; that’s why it’s so important to have your animal vaccinated,” McDaniel said.
Tift County has stepped up its mosquito spraying schedule.
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