In a follow-up to earlier reports of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in horses in the state of Florida (HERE and HERE), officials in Polk County have confirmed a third case of EEE this year.

Image/markusspiske
Image/markusspiske

The 6 year old Arabian had no vaccine history for EEE and no recent travel history. Clinical signs began on June 19 and the horse was euthanized for humane reasons the same day.

This is the seventh EEE case of 2016.

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Last week, two EEE case were confirmed, one each in Jefferson and Walton County, Florida. The Jefferson County case, an 8 year old Draft horse, became clinical on June 16 and had previous vaccination history in September 2015. The gelding was euthanized for humane reasons.

The Walton County case had no vaccination history and no reported travel history with in the past month. Clinical signs began on June 17 and the horse died of natural causes on June 19.

In addition, Osceola County confirmed the first equine case of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state in a horse with no vaccine history and had not been out of the county in the past month. Clinical signs began on June 22 and the horse was euthanized for humane reasons the same day.

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