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Aug 18, 2023

Florida Quarter Horse Tests Positive for EEE

A Quarter Horse in Jackson County was euthanized after developing EEE. Posted by Edited Press Release | Aug 2, 2023 | Article, EDCC Health Watch, Horse Industry News, Welfare and Industry Share: On

A Quarter Horse in Jackson County was euthanized after developing EEE.

Posted by Edited Press Release | Aug 2, 2023 | Article, EDCC Health Watch, Horse Industry News, Welfare and Industry

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On August 2, a 13-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Jackson County, Florida, was confirmed positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). The horse, who was under-vaccinated, began showing clinical signs on July 28, including elevated temperature, incoordination, inability to stand and blindness. She has since been euthanized.

This is the ninth confirmed case of EEE in Florida in 2023.

EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, for which wild birds are a natural reservoir. Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. Horses do not develop high enough levels of these viruses in their blood to be contagious to other animals or humans. Because of the high mortality rate in horses and humans, EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.

VIDEO | Health Alert: EEE, WEE, and VEE

Tips for preventing mosquito-borne diseases include:

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