Got Your Horses Vaccinated For EEE?

Vaccination is an effective preventive against a contagious equine virus.

Compiled by staff

Published: Sep 6, 2010

Eastern Equine Encephalitis, found mainly on the East Coast, claimed its first New York State horse in late August. The death of a two-year old gelding in Oswego County, prompted New York Ag Commissioner Pat Hooker to remind equine owners to make sure their animals are vaccinated.

The virus, also known as EEE, affects horses and humans. It's spread by infected mosquitoes. To date, there have been no reported nor confirmed human cases of EEE in 2010.

The infected horse had been purchased at a New York auction earlier this year with an unknown vaccination history. It had not been vaccinated after purchase. Initial symptoms included loss of appetite, then circling and leaning against the stall. After examination by a private veterinarian, the animal was euthanized. Brain samples tested by the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Laboratory came back positive for EEE.

Humans cannot become infected by handling an infected horse, nor can a horse acquire the virus from another infected horse. However, the presence of an infected horse in the area indicates that mosquitoes carrying EEE are present. Infected mosquitoes pose a threat to both humans and horses.

The EEE vaccine has proven to drastically reduce the incidence of the virus in horses and can be easily administered by a private veterinarian. Vaccines are effective for six to twelve months, so horses should be vaccinated at least annually.

In an area where the disease occurs frequently, such as Oswego County, most veterinarians recommend vaccination every six months. For the vaccine to be effective, it must be handled and administered properly and be given at least two weeks before the horse is exposed to the virus.