Horse In Burlington Co. Euthanized With NJ's 1st Case Of EEE This Year

A horse in Burlington County was euthanized last week after developing the first confirmed case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in New Jersey this year.

A 3-year-old gelding caught the mosquito-borne illness, according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA). Officials did not disclose where in the county this occurred.

The horse, which was euthanized Oct. 17, was unvaccinated and had an unknown vaccination history against the disease, officials said.

EEE — also known as "triple E" — causes inflammation of the brain tissue and poses a significantly higher risk of death in horses than West Nile Virus. Symptoms include front and rear ataxia, muscle fasciculation, disorientation and inability to rise.

The disease is transmitted by a mosquito bite. The virus cycles between birds and mosquitos, with horses and humans being incidental hosts, according to agricultural officials.

Horses are "dead-end" hosts of the virus, meaning they cannot transmit the virus to humans or other horses.

The NJDA strongly encourages livestock owners to vaccinate against EEE, West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. Effective equine vaccines for EEE and West Nile Virus are commercially available.

Horse owners should also contact their veterinarians if their horses aren't up-to-date- on vaccinations against both diseases.

"We continue to encourage horse owners to be vigilant in vaccinating their animals against these diseases spread by mosquitoes," said State Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. "Vaccinated animals are much less likely to contract deadly diseases such as EEE and West Nile Virus."

The EEE diagnosis was confirmed through testing at the NJDA's Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory.

EEE and West Nile Virus must be reported to the State Veterinarian at 609-671-6400 within 48 hours of diagnosis. The New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory can assist with testing for both diseases and can be reached by calling 609-406-6999 or emailing jerseyvetlab@ag.nj.gov.

For more information on EEE and other animal diseases, visit the NJDA's webpage.