COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Ohio Department of Agriculture is recommending that horses get vaccinated after the state veterinarian today confirmed a case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse in Ashtabula County.
- The disease is spread by mosquitoes and is preventable in horses with proper vaccination
- Symptoms include unsteadiness, erratic behavior, a marked loss of coordination and seizures
- Any suspected horse cases should be reported to a veterinarian as soon as possible
Horse owners are being urged to contact their veterinarian to make sure the animal’s EEE vaccine and boosters are up to date.
The virus responsible for EEE is transmitted to horses by mosquitos and attacks their central nervous system.
Onset occurs quickly and is typically fatal.
Symptoms to look for include unsteadiness, erratic behavior, a marked loss of coordination and seizures.
While horses are especially susceptible to the virus, it can cause serious illness in people, as well as other animals, such as poultry and deer.
The Ohio DOA says, although rare, the disease can be transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, so wearing repellant and protective clothing is advised.
To date, there have been no confirmed human cases associated with this outbreak in Ohio.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture and Ohio Department of Health are working with local health officials to monitor the outbreak.
Any suspected horse cases should be reported to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Those who are concerned about an illness should contact their physician.
For more information about EEE, you can visit the CDC's website.
