The Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory (TVDIL) has diagnosed 8 cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and 4 cases of West Nile Virus in horses, since summer began.
EEE and WNV are mosquito-borne viral disease prevalent in the eastern United States; both cause serious disease in horses, humans and birds. These diseases are the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S. Clinical signs in horses include fever, anorexia, depression, hyperexcitability, blindness, ataxia, recumbency, convulsions, and death. For diagnosis, TVDIL tests serum samples from live animals for IgM; from deceased animals, a PCR, histopathology, or virus isolation on brain is recommended. Mosquito control and vaccination of horses is highly recommended to prevent these fatal diseases.
EEE has been detected in the following Georgia counties: Brantley, Lanier, Pierce, Thomas, Jefferson, Wayne, Irwin, Johnson.
WNV in horses has been detected in the following Georgia counties: Seminole, Tift, Appling, Lowndes.
