By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Since the first Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) case was reported in a Monroe County horse earlier this month, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has reported three additional cases.

Image/Alexas_Fotos

The 2nd confirmed equine EEE case was reported Appaloosa Arabian Cross mare from Burnett County. The unvaccinated horse showed neurologic signs, seizures, staggering and unable to rise and was euthanized.

On Thursday, agriculture officials reported two additional cases, the 3rd and 4th, in Calumet County and Marquette County, respectively.

Both horses were unvaccinated and one was euthanized while the status of the Marquette horse is not available.

EEE virus is spread to horses and humans by infected mosquitoes, including several Culex species and Culiseta melanura.

In horses, the virus causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord.  General symptoms include central nervous system signs such as: head pressing, convulsions, lack of response to facial stimulation, fever above 103 degrees, ataxia, paralysis, anorexia, depression and stupor.  Other symptoms may include irregular gait, teeth grinding, in-coordination, circling, and staggering.  All symptoms may not be exhibited by an infected horse.

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The mortality rate in horses from EEE is almost 90%.