On October 24, 2017 two more New Jersey horses tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and both were euthanized as a result of the infection. The ten and eleven year-old geldings were both located in Cape May County. To date, five New Jersey horses have tested positive for EEE and two New Jersey horses have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). In all cases, the positive horses were either not vaccinated, were not current on vaccination, had an unknown vaccination history, or did not receive the necessary booster following the initial vaccination. Thus far, all positive horses have been located in the southern portion of the state:
Atlantic County: 1 EEE+
Cape May County: 2 EEE+
Cumberland County: 2 EEE+
Gloucester County: 1 WNV+
Salem County: 1 WNV+
Both EEE and WNV are viral diseases that affect horses’ neurological systems and are transmitted by mosquito bite. EEE and WNV are serious diseases that cause inflammation of the brain tissue. In addition, EEE has a significantly higher death rate than WNV with a mortality rate of up to 90%. As indicated above, horses fully vaccinated for EEE and WNV are less likely to contract these deadly diseases. Effective equine vaccines for WNV and EEE have been available for several years.
For more information about EEE and WNV in horses, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture website at: http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/diseaseworksheets.html
EEE and WNV, 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. If the horse is located in NJ, the EEE and WNV testing is provided at no cost to the submitter as the AHDL receives funding from the State Mosquito Control Commission to perform the testing.
| EEE | PCR (no charge) 1 ml whole blood PTT*/CSF**/brain tissue |
ELISA (no charge) 1 ml serum, w/cold pack |
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
| Division of Animal Health Phone: (609) 671-6400 Fax: (609) 671-6413 |
Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory Phone: (609) 406-6999 Fax: (609) 671-6414 |
Mail laboratory specimen(s) and laboratory submission form 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 |