There have been multiple recent cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) reported through the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) this year. Some reported in September are noted below. Please check on the EDCC’s website and sort by disease and/or state to see the full list of reported cases.
EEE in Ontario, Canada
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reported a case of EEE in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The 8-year-old unvaccinated gelding had onset of clinical signs on August 26 that included ataxia and fever. He was confirmed with EEE on September 8 and is recovering.
Multiple EEE Cases in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported confirmed cases of EEE in Kent, Ionia, Montcalm, Jackson, Livingston and Calhoun Counties. These confirmed horses bring the total 2020 number of equids confirmed with EEE in Michigan to 29.
Kent County Two Cases A 16-year-old Arabian mare had onset of clinical signs on August 27 that included ataxia, drooping lip, facial tremors and progressed to being down without the ability to get up. She was confirmed for EEE on September 16. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
An 8-year-old Belgian mare had onset of clinical signs on September 2 that included ataxia, head tilt and progressed to being down without the ability to get up. She was confirmed with EEE on September 16. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
Ionia County Two Cases A 3-year-old Standardbred/Quarter Horse cross mare had onset of clinical signs on September 3 that included fever and being down without the ability to get up. She was confirmed with EEE on September 16. The unvervaccinated mare was euthanized.
A 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare had onset of clinical signs on August 30 that included ataxia, fever and progressed to being down with an inability to get up. She was confirmed with EEE on September 11. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
Montcalm County Three Horses A 16-year-old Paint mare had onset of clinical signs on September 4 that included fever and being down without the ability to get up. She was confirmed with EEE on September 16. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
A yearling Standardbred filly had onset of clinical signs on September 4. She was confirmed with EEE on September 11. The filly had received her first vaccine against EEE within a week of her becoming ill. She was euthanized. Another yearling at this premises was previously reported as positive for EEE this year.
A 20-year-old Shetland Pony mare had onset of clinical signs on August 27 that include neurologic signs. She was confirmed with EEE on September 4. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
Jackson County Two Horses A 6-year-old Quarter Horse mare had onset of clinical signs on September 3 that included ataxia, fever and muscle fasciculations. She was confirmed with EEE on September 16. The mare was euthanized.
An 18-year-old Quarter Horse mare had onset of clinical signs on August 31 that included fever, lethargy, neurologic, and progressing to being down with an inability to rise. She was confirmed with EEE on September 9. The undervaccinated mare was euthanized.
Livingston County Two Cases A 5-year-old Appaloosa mare had onset of clinical signs on August 31 that included ataxia and muscle fasciculation. She was confirmed with EEE on September 16. The Unvaccinated mare was euthanized. Another horse in Livingston County was found down with an inability to rise.
Calhoun County An 18-year-old grade mare had onset of clinical signs on September 8 that included ataxia and depression. She was confirmed with EEE on September 18. The mare was euthanized.
Isabella County An 18-year-old Belgian mare had onset of clinical signs on August 25 that included fever, stumbling and progressing to being down with an inability to get up. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
Clare County Two Cases A 6-year-old Belgian gelding had onset of clinical signs on August 31 that included fever, head pressing and lethargy. The unvaccinated gelding is deceased.
A Standardbred gelding had onset of clinical signs on August 25 that included ataxia, circling, with progressing to being down with an inability to get up. He was confirmed with EEE on September 2. The unvaccinated gelding is deceased.
Mecosta County A 4-year-old Belgian mare had onset of clinical signs on August 26 that included ataxia, lethargy, progressing to being down with an inability to get up. She was confirmed with EEE on September 4. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
Barry County A 7-year-old Belgian mare had onset of clinical signs on August 26 that included ataxia, facial paralysis, fever, progressing to being down with an inability to get up. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
Oakland County A 2-year-old Warmblood colt had onset of clinical signs on August 25 that included fever, lethargy, seizures and becoming down with inability to get up. He was confirmed with EEE on September 2. The undervaccinated colt is deceased.
EEE in Wisconsin
Forest County The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection reported a confirmed case of EEE in a 2-year-old Quarter Horse mare. She had onset of clinical signs on September 7 that included ataxia, anisocoria and circling. She was confirmed with EEE on September 16. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
Clark County A 2-year-old Standardbred gelding had onset of clinical signs on September 8 that including being neurologic that progressed to recumbency. The gelding was confirmed with EEE on September 11. The unvaccinated gelding is deceased.
Price County Two Horses A 2-year-old Gypsy mare had onset of clinical signs on September 2 that included ataxia, acute onset of depressions and muscle fasciculations of the head and neck. The mare was confirmed with EEE on September 11. The unvervaccinated mare was euthanized.
A 9-year-old POA gelding had onset of clinical signs on August 30 that included anisocoria, fever, ataxia, and muscle fasciculations of the head and neck. He was confirmed with EEE on September 16. The unvaccinated gelding is deceased.
Oneida County A 2-year-old Paint mare had onset of clinical signs on September 7 that included ataxia, depression, recumbency and anisocoria. The mare was confirmed on September 11. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
Langlade County A 3-year-old Paint mare had onset of clinical signs on September 7 that included anisocoria, fever, ataxia and recumbency. She was confirmed with EEE on September 11. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
Taylor County A 2-year-old Standardbred colt had onset of clinical signs on August 13 that included fever, staggering and becoming recumbent. He was confirmed with EEE on September 2. The unvaccinated colt is deceased.
Chippewa County Two Horses Same Facility An 8-year-old Belgian mare had onset of clinical signs on August 13 that included fever, nurologic signs, off feed and becoming recumbent. She was confirmed with EEE on September 2. The unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
A 2-year-old Standardbred filly had onset of clinical signs on August 20 that included ataxia, fever and off feed. She was confirmed on September 2. The filly is recovering.
Rusk County A 6-year-old Standardbred mare had onset of clinical signs on August 30 that included fever, neurologic signs and recumbency. The mare was confirmed with EEE on September 4. The Unvaccinated mare was euthanized.
EEE in Three Louisiana Horses
Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM, said three horses in the state have tested positive for EEE. One was located in Iberville Parish and two in Lafourche Parish.
EEE in New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture confirmed one case of EEE in a 4-year-old mare in Atlantic County. The mare was euthanized. This was the first reported case of EEE in New Jersey for 2020.
EEE in Florida
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported that an 8-year-old pony gelding in Lake County had onset of clinical signs on September 1 that including aimless wandering, ataxia, depression, fever, and hypersensitivity. The unvaccinated gelding is deceased.
EEE in Minnesota
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health reported that a 7-year-old cross-breed gelding had onset of clinical signs on August 23 that included staggering, listlessness and impaired vision. He was confirmed with EEE on September 3. The undervaccinated gelding is deceased. The horse had been vaccinated for EEE 18 months prior to onset but 12-month booster was postponed due perceived COVID-19 restrictions in place.
