The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) offers alerts about equine diseases that have been confirmed by reliable sources. The following information is from the EDCC.
First Oregon WNV Case for 2016
A Deschutes County horse has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), marking the first detection of the disease in Oregon horses for the 2016 season. The affected horse is a 14-year-old mare with no history of vaccination for WNV. The horse is under veterinary care and is responding to treatment. For more information visit http://odanews.wpengine.com/news-release-deschutes-county-horse-diagnosed-with-west-nile-virus/.
EEE Equine Death in New York
An unvaccinated, 11-year-old mare was diagnosed with EEE this week. Her owner first noticed clinical signs on Aug. 22. A veterinarian examined the mare on the same day and noted the following: depression, trembling, stumbling, blindness and fever. The horse was symptomatically treated. On Aug. 23 the vet returned to visit and the horse was down and non-responsive. The mare was euthanized on Aug. 2316. WNV and rabies tests were negative.
Four New WNV Cases in Minnesota
Minnesota now has four more confirmed WNV cases; an unvaccinated 7-year-old mare in Kanabec County (August 17); a 7-year-old, unvaccinated Fjord mare in Clearwater County (August 19); a vaccinated 10-year-old Quarter Horse gelding in Mower County (August 13); and a 2-year-old Appaloosa gelding in Todd County that was vaccinated on August 9 and began showing clinical signs of illness on August 19. This brings the total WNV cases in Minnesota to 11 horses in 2016.
About EDCC
The Equine Disease Communication Center works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
The goal of the EDCC is to alert the horse industry about disease outbreak information to help mitigate and prevent the spread of disease. Ultimately frequent and accurate information about diseases outbreaks improves horse welfare and helps to prevent negative economic impact that can result from decreased horse use due to a fear of spreading infection. As part of the National Equine Health Plan the EDCC will serve as part of the communication to help educate and promote research about endemic and foreign disease.
Working in cooperation with state animal health officials and the United State Department of Agriculture, the EDCC seeks information about current disease outbreaks from news media, social media, official state reports and veterinary practitioners. Once information is confirmed, it is immediately posted on this website and messages sent to all states and horse organizations by email. Daily updates are posted until each outbreak is contained or deemed no longer a threat.
The EDCC is made possible by generous donations from organizations and horse owners. Please visit our sponsors that have generously supported this program for the benefit of the health and welfare of horses. To learn how you can help go to SUPPORT.
