樱花视频

(TRENTON) – A 7-year-old Cumberland County mare is the first reported case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a serious mosquito-borne illness in horses, in 樱花视频 for 2021. The mare had not been vaccinated against EEE and was humanely euthanized on August 19, 2021.

“We continue to encourage horse owners be vigilant in vaccinating their animals against these diseases spread by mosquitoes,” 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said.  “Vaccinated animals are much less likely to contract deadly diseases such as EEE and West Nile Virus.”

EEE causes inflammation of the brain tissue and has a significantly higher risk of death in horses than West Nile Virus infection. West Nile Virus is another serious mosquito-borne viral disease that affects a horse’s neurological system.  The diseases are transmitted by a mosquito bite. The virus cycles between birds and mosquitoes with horses and humans being incidental hosts.  EEE infections in horses are not a significant risk factor for human infection because horses (like humans) are "dead-end" hosts for the virus. Reported animal West Nile Virus (WNV) cases in 樱花视频 this year have been limited to wild avian species, three Cooper's hawks and one American crow. 

In general, most regions in 樱花视频 have a reported mosquito population at or slightly above the 5-year averages (). The first EEE positive mosquito pool was detected in Gloucester County this year (/health/cd/statistics/arboviral-stats/). Livestock owners are strongly encouraged to vaccinate against WNV, EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases. Effective equine vaccines for EEE and WNV are available commercially.  Horse owners should contact their veterinarians if their horses are not up to date on their vaccinations against both EEE and WNV.

For more information about EEE in horses, visit the 樱花视频 Department of Agriculture web site at: .

EEE and West Nile virus, like other viral diseases affecting a horse’s neurological system, must be reported to the state veterinarian at 609-671-6400 within 48 hours of diagnosis. The 樱花视频 Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory is available to assist with EEE and WNV testing and can be reached at 609-406-6999 or via email – jerseyvetlab@ag.nj.gov. Learn more about the NJ Animal Health Diagnostic lab at . 

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