A 5-year-old mare from Cumberland County has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The horse was not vaccinated and died on August 28, 2017. This is the first confirmed equine case of EEE in New Jersey this year.
EEE, a viral disease that affects horses’ neurological system is transmitted by mosquito bite. EEE is a serious disease that causes inflammation of the brain tissue and has a significantly higher risk of death in horses than West Nile Virus (WNV) infection. Horse owners are urged to vaccinate their animals from mosquito-borne illnesses such as WNV and EEE because animals that are vaccinated are less likely to contract these deadly diseases. Effective equine vaccines for WNV and EEE have been available for several years.
Late summer and early fall are the prime season for these diseases. In 2016, 4 cases of equine EEE occurred between mid-August and mid-September. There were no cases of equine WNV in 2016. For more information about EEE and WNV in horses, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture web site at: http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/diseaseworksheets.html
WNV and EEE, like other viral diseases affecting horses’ neurological systems, must be reported to the state veterinarian within 48 hours, and a neurologic disease worksheet must be completed for each case reported. The worksheet is available at the following website and once completed can be faxed to the Division. http://jerseyvetlab.nj.gov/sample/forms/FORM-R-019%201%20Neurologic%20Disease%20Worksheet.pdf
The NJDA – Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (AHDL) is available to assist with EEE, WNV, and EHV-1 testing. The EEE and WNV testing on neurologic horses is provided at no cost to the submitter as the AHDL receives funding from the State Mosquito Control Commission to perform the testing on New Jersey horses.
| EEE | ELISA (no charge) 1 ml serum, w/cold pack |
PCR (no charge) 1 ml whole blood PTT*/CSF**/brain tissue |
2-3 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| WNV | PCR (no charge) Whole blood PTT */CSF**/brain tissue |
ELISA (no charge) 1 ml serum, w/cold pack |
2-3 days |
| EHV-1 | Neurologic PCR ($50.00) Whole blood PTT/Nasal swab, brain tissue |
EHV-1 SN titer ($15.00) 1 ml serum, w/cold pack |
2-4 days |
*PTT-purple top tube **spinal fluid
Contact Dr. Amar Patil (609) 406-6999 or via email at jerseyvetlab@ag.state.nj.us
Laboratory specimen(s), along with a laboratory submission form, may be sent to:
| (If sent via courier service):NJ Department of Agriculture Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory NJPHEAL, 3 Schwarzkopf Drive Ewing, NJ 08628 |
(If sent via U.S. Postal Service):NJ Department of Agriculture Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory P.O. Box 330 Trenton, NJ 08625 |
| Division of Animal Health Phone: (609) 671-6400 Fax: (609) 671-6413 |
Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory Phone: (609) 406-6999 Fax: (609) 671-6414 |