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COUNTY OF THE OCEAN – A
two-year-old Ocean County horse and a seven-year-old Camden County alpaca are
currently the fourth and fifth cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) reported
animals in the state up to now this year.
Eastern equine
Encephalitis (EEE) is a serious disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Until now, three horses
in Ocean County and a horse in Monmouth County were tested positive in the EEA.
Each of the horses and the alpaca have been euthanized in the last month. the
The history of vaccination of the alpaca was unknown.
"These cases are
reminds that it is imperative that owners of horses and alpacas be vigilant
vaccinate their animals against mosquito-borne diseases ", New Jersey
Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said. "Vaccinated animals are a lot
less likely to contract fatal diseases such as Eastern equine encephalitis.
Vaccination is the most effective strategy and effective vaccines against the horse are
commercially available. Owners of horses and alpacas should also consider using fans
in barns and repellents against mosquitoes.
according to
It is known that EEE affects horses and camelids, such as
alpacas. The disease can cause inflammation of the brain tissue and has
Death risk significantly higher in horses and camels than West Nile virus
infection.
However, it is
important to note that EEE infections in horses and alpacas are not a
important risk factor of human infection because horses and camelids (as
humans) are considered "dead-end" hosts of the virus.
Officials press the horse
and alpaca owners to contact their veterinarians if their pets are not
already up to date on their vaccinations against EEE and WNV.
For more information on EEE, visit the website of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture at the address: nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/diseaseworksheets.html.
EEA and West Nile
the virus must be reported to the state veterinarian at 609-671-6400 within 48 hours
hours of diagnosis.
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