EDCC Reports WNV in Wisconsin and More EEE in Virginia

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.

Virginia’s Fourth EEE Case 2016

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) on Aug. 5, 2016, announced the fourth case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a Virginia horse this year. The horse, a six-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse mare, was from Hopewell. The horse had not been vaccinated since 2014 and was euthanized because of the severity of her symptoms. For more information visit http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-eastern-equine-encephalitis.shtml.

Wisconsin Horse Dead from WNV

A 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was diagnosed with West Nile virus in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, this week. At onset of clinical signs the horse showed signs of paresis, but was able to rise with assistance and stand for short periods of time. Samples taken on July 27 confirmed the diagnosis on Aug. 5. The horse died earlier in the week.

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.