Allivet Horse Care

Eastern equineencephalitis virus is commonly called Triple E or, sleepingsicknessn. EEE was first recognized in Massachusetts, USA in 1831 when 75 horses died of the disease.

 The virus is maintained in nature through a bird - mosquito cycle. There are two mosquito species primarily involved in this portion of the cycle. These mosquitoes feed on the blood of birds. The amount of virus found in nature increases throughout the summer as more birds and more mosquitoes become infected.

Nervous signs appear during the fever that include sensitivity to sound, periods of excitement, and restlessness. Brain lesions appear, causing drowsiness, drooping ears, circling, aimless wandering, head pressing, inability to swallow, and abnormal gait. Paralysis follows, causing the horse to have difficulty raising its head. The horse usually suffers complete paralysis and death two to four days after symptoms appear. Mortality rates among horses with the eastern strain range from 70 to 90%. 

The disease can be prevented in horses with the use of vaccinations. These vaccinations are usually given together with vaccinations for other diseases, most commonly WEE, VEE, and tetanus. Most vaccinations for EEE consist of the killed virus.

Fluvac Innovator4 vaccine protects healthy horses from equine encephalomyelitis due to Eastern and Western viruses, equine influenza due to type A2 viruses, and tetanus. This vaccine is adjuvanted with MetaStim for an improved immune response. In some instances, transient local reactions may occur at the injection site. In case of anaphylactoid reaction, administer epinephrine and consult your nearest emergency animal hospital.