Eastern Equine Encephalitis

The cause of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a virus called eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus carried by mosquitoes. EEE is a fatal disease to humans and horses. The virus is normally found only in wild birds and mosquitoes that live in and around wooded swamps "black-swamp-mosquito", Culiseta melanura," is found. On the average there are 50-70 horse cases each year in Florida. There are typically only one or two human cases each year in Florida. The virus may cause a temperature, and perhaps a minor illness similar to a cold or flu in humans. Unfortunately, many cases are fatal, and nearly all survivors have some residual effects, particularly mental impairment. There is no specific treatment or cure for EEE in humans or horses, but there is a vaccine against the disease available for horses. It is important to follow your veterinarians advice on vaccinating your horses from this destructive disease.