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OCEAN COUNTY – Two county horses are among
five new cases of Oriental equine encephalitis in the state, according to the new
Jersey Ministry of Agriculture.
Ten cases of the virus were diagnosed
this year and the last five have been diagnosed in the last two weeks.
The last cases concern a 4 year old gelding
and a gelding of unknown age in Ocean County, an 18 year old gelding
Morris County, a 4-month-old gelding in Salem County and a 1-year-old filly in
Atlantic County.
None of these horses were vaccinated against EEE
and had to be euthanized. The 10 cases in the state include nine horses and one
alpaca.
Three other horses from Ocean County, including one
A 12-year-old mare and a horse from Monmouth County were also tested positive
EEE and were euthanized during the summer.
Douglas Fisher, secretary of agriculture for New Jersey, said
"As more and more cases of equine encephalitis are reported, we are
encourage horse owners to check their records to verify that their animals are
protected against this disease, or to know if vaccination is necessary. Animals who
have been vaccinated are much less likely to contract deadly diseases such as
Eastern equine encephalitis. It is the most effective and equine strategy
vaccines are commercially available.
The virus has been described as causing
inflammation of brain tissue and significantly higher risk of death
in horses and camels that infection with West Nile virus.
West Nile virus is a viral disease that
neurological condition of horses and camelids. The disease is transmitted by a mosquito
bite.
EEE cycles between birds and mosquitoes with
horses, camelids and humans are fortuitous hosts.
Viral infections in horses and alpacas are
a significant risk factor for humans because horses and camelids (like
humans) are considered "dead-end" hosts of the virus.
Owners of horses and alpacas are invited 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 New Jersey Department of Agriculture at the following address: nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/diseaseworksheets.html
EEE and West Nile virus, like other viruses
affecting the neurological system of horses, should be reported in the 48
hours of diagnosis at the state veterinarian at 609-671-6400.
The diagnosis of animal health in New Jersey
A laboratory is available to assist with EEE and WNV testing and can be contacted
609-406-6999 or by email – [email protected].
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