Equine Specialist Say Mosquitoes Soon To Spread Two Diseases Among Horses
Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 -- 6:09 AM
Equine specialists with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture say mosquitoes will soon be here to spread two diseases among horses that can be eliminated by vaccination.State animal health officials are reminding horse owners that Wisconsin had 24 confirmed cases of either Eastern equine encephalitis or West Nile virus during each of the past two years. Horses require two doses of the vaccinations initially, and then boosters at least annually to fight against Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus. It also is important to consider testing requirements for Equine Infectious Anemia.
Both WNV and EEE are caused by viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, and both may cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Both viruses can be fatal to horses. Symptoms are similar for both diseases: depression, appetite loss, drooping eyelids and lower lip, fever, weakness, twitching, paralysis or lack of coordination, aimless wandering, circling and blindness. (Wisconsin Ag Connection)
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