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Revaccinate
Horses For Sleeping Sickness
Auburn, July
12---A number of horses in the Florida panhandle have been
stricken with sleeping sickness or eastern equine encephalomyelitis
(EEE). While there are no confirmed cases in Alabama, one possible
case is being reviewed. The State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at
Auburn University reports one highly probable case of EEE in an
Escambia County horse and is currently conducting laboratory tests
on samples from two additional south Alabama horses.
An animal scientist with
the Alabama Cooperative Extension System says it's important that
horse owners take precautions to protect their animals from this
deadly disease.
Dr. Cindy McCall, an
animal scientist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, says
there is little reason for a horse to contract the disease because
there is a safe and inexpensive vaccine available.
"Horse owners in
Alabama should vaccinate their horses twice a year for sleeping
sickness," says McCall. "Veterinarians are recommending
that horses vaccinated before March be revaccinated to boost their
immunity."
She adds that the best
time to revaccinate is mid to late summer, such as in August when
some cases of EEE are seen in Alabama. Revaccinating before this
time will increase protection against the disease.
EEE, a viral disease
spread by certain kinds of mosquitoes, is almost always fatal in
horses and is characterized by the progressive failure of the
horse's central nervous system. Symptoms in horses include
depression, high fever, hypersensitivity to sound and touch,
apparent blindness, wandering and paralysis.
"Horse owners
should check with their vets on vaccination schedules," says
McCall. "But I would revaccinate any horse whose last
vaccination was more than four months earlier."
Pregnant mares should be
vaccinated before foaling. This allows the mare to pass her
immunities to the nursing foal. Consult with a vet about first
vaccinations for foals.
EEE can impact people as
well. McCall emphasizes that humans cannot contract the disease
directly from horses.
"If a person
contracts EEE, it's from an exposure to the mosquitoes that carry
the virus," says McCall.
The horse is a terminal
host for the virus. This means that an infected horse cannot infect
another animal.
Mosquito control
measures such as using insect repellents on horses and emptying
stagnant water pools may help slow the disease's spread. Horse
owners may want to stable animals to limit their exposure to
mosquitos.
People can limit their
exposure potential by using insect repellents formulated for humans,
as well as avoiding outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most
active such as late afternoon and early evening.
SOURCE: Dr. Cindy
McCall, Animal Scientist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System,
(334) 844-1556
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