NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Florida Department Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) reports two Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) cases in horses in Hillsborough County.

The two geldings, one 3-years-old and the other 9-years-old, showed onset of symptoms on Aug. 28 and Sept. 2, respectively.

Both vaccinated horses exhibited incoordination, hindlimb paresis, inability to stand and head pressing. Both have died.

These are the 10th and 11th confirmed case of EEE for Florida in 2022.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) 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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