What Do You Fear Most: H1N1 or EEE?

by Fran Jurga | 19 September 2009 | The Jurga Report at Equisearch.com


If you turn on the news (or do you just not turn it off?), you will hear a lot about H1N1, or the "coming plague" that seems destined to hit us this fall, but the mosquitoes are having a field day on the east coast and gulf coast.

You'll hear that a man in central New York State has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

Randomly-trapped mosquitoes all over eastern Massachusetts have tested positive for EEE and in some towns near Cape Cod, state health authorities have raised the alert level for mosquitoes from moderate to high after discovering that mosquitoes there were infected with not one but two viruses dangerous to humans--both EEE and West Nile virus (WNV).

In Maine, 14 horses have died from EEE.

In Virginia, seven horses have died from EEE and one from WNV. Wherever you look, the story is the same. Louisiana has been hit hard as well.

Outdoor after-school activities are being canceled for children and northern New England is gearing up for the big country fair season, but public health officials are urging people to take precautions.

When I was a little girl, a family friend was bitten by a mosquito at a horse show (don't ask me how they knew exactly where the bite happened) and she became ill with EEE. It was horrible, but she did survive. My parents never allowed us to go to an event at that fairground ever again and I have never forgotten that EEE is a real risk to humans and horses.

And it's not over yet. Mosquito season can and will last until November in many areas. A frost should be coming to Maine any day now, and it will be welcome, in terms of killing the mosquitoes.

Assuming that your horses are vaccinated and you have checked to find out if fall boosters are needed or not, take the time to review the basic prevention steps with everyone who lives or works or plays on your property:

• If possible, stay inside between dusk and dark, when mosquitoes are most active.
• When outside between dusk and dark, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
• Use an insect repellent with DEET or Picaridin according to manufacturer's directions when outside. Oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 have been found to provide protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.
• Put screens on windows and make sure they do not have holes.
• Eliminate standing water and other mosquito breeding locations from your property. Do not alter natural water bodies.
  (Tips provided by the state of New Hampshire)

And what about our own flu shot? The fall and early winter are great times for riding, plus there are so many year-end shows and events to attend -- don't miss any of it if you can help it! Find out about both "regular" flu and H1N1 innoculations and what your risk factors are. And if you get sick, stay home.

Which do I fear? EEE, no doubt about that. What do I dread? H1N1, because even if it doesn't happen, it will disrupt our lives in some way and have more of a direct effect. But those of us who are outside and/or live near mosquito-invested zones have to take the warnings seriously.

It's a matter of life and death, for humans and horses.

Are you around horses that haven't been vaccinated? A lot of people opted to save money this spring and skipped EEE, especially in areas where the disease hasn't been a problem. That's what happened in Maine. Be sure you know what the symptoms are.

Click here to read a Maine veterinarian's description of the symptoms in the first case of EEE in her county.

And please don't stay home from the fairs, unless you are at high risk for complications of the flu. Country fairs are vital to regional economies and one of the last great ways to get out and connect with rural traditions and your agricultural friends and neighbors. Please support them...just make sure you have some repellent handy, cover up, and wash your hands a lot.

See you there!

UPDATE: Since this post was originally written, the first case of EEE ever reported in Maritime Canada has resulted in the death of a horse in Nova Scotia.

Horse with Lighter Coat Colors Are More at Risk for West Nile Virus

"Have you heard?"

An announcement received today from the Merial corporation is putting horse owners on notice that West Nile virus (WNV) is a risk for all horses in infected areas, but that owners of light-colored horses should be particularly concerned.

The reason? A recently published study shows that light-colored horses have a greater chance of dying from West Nile virus (WNV). (Reference: Epp T, Waldner C, West K, Townsend H. Factors associated with West Nile virus disease fatalities in horses. Canadian Veterinary Journal 2007;48:1137-1145.)

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan evaluated 133 clinical cases of WNV in the southern portion of the province. Of the total cases, 43.8 percent died. Light horses such as palominos, buckskins, grays, whites or duns were four times more likely to die than dark or multicolored horses.

“The study did not explore specific reasons for increased fatality risk for light-colored horses,” says Frank Hurtig, DVM, MBA, Director, Veterinary Services for Merial Ltd. “However, vaccinating for WNV can help protect all horses.”

WNV is transmitted from mosquitoes to horses. If infected, a horse may exhibit signs such as fever, depression, muscle tremors, weakness, lack of coordination and paralysis. (See Canadian study.) About one out of every three equine WNV cases dies.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recently revised its core vaccination guidelines to include WNV. Every horse in the United States could be exposed at some point during the year, but spring and summer is an especially important time to protect against WNV. The disease shows no geographic borders and has been identified in all areas of the country. (See: Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses: West Nile Virus. American Association of Equine Practitioners. Available at: http://www.aaep.org/wnv.htm.) Plus, more temperate climates may experience longer mosquito seasons, potentially exposing horses to WNV for a longer period.

Blogger's note: this information was provided by Merial; the company is the manufacturer of Recombitek vaccine for West Nile virus. ®RECOMBITEK is a registered trademark of Merial Limited. Duluth, Georgia.

Fun photo courtesy of our friends at Equitana 2009, coming up in March 14-19 in Essen, Germany: see you there!

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Florida Horse Health Alert: 2008 EEE Deaths Up to Nine

Part of the problem with mosquito-borne illnesses becoming more prevalent is the mosquito itself. The Asian Tiger Mosquito (ATM) has invaded the southeastern USA; it was carried from Asia in container loads of used tires that were not inspected for mosquitoes and falls under the heading of "invasive species". This new breed of skeeter is particularly well-suited for spreading diseases. The University of Florida is trying to educate people that the mosquitoes around them have changed their stripes.

As convoys of horse vans and trailers prepare to head north from Florida after the winter polo, horse show and racing seasons end next month, the warm climate that lured horsemen to the Sunshine State may play a cruel and deadly trick on them.

Already, nine cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been confirmed in Florida since the beginning of 2008, even though the peak season does not begin until May. There were a total of 18 cases of EEE in 2007 for the entire year.

Sadly, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture, six of the dead horses had not been vaccinated and two had not received booster shots. Only one horse was current with vaccinations.

EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes. Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. The disease is fatal in horses in 90% of the cases.

So far this year EEE has been confirmed in horses in Putnam, Lake, Polk, Columbia, Clay and Volusia counties, all of which were fatal. Volusia has been hit the hardest, with four of the nine cases having been found there.

If you live in Florida and if you have been in the state with your horses recently (or plan to go), please consult your health records and be certain that the horse's vaccination status for EEE is up to date.

For more information, and continuing updates on occurences of the disease in Florida, please read the state's Department of Agriculture web site's recent update.

AAEP RELEASES UPDATED EQUINE VACCINATION GUIDELINES

The Infectious Disease Committee of the American Association of Equine Practitioners has issued revised guidelines for the vaccination of horses. The Committee, chaired by Mary Scollay, DVM, has made recommendations for the use of vaccines based on the age of the horse and its previous vaccination history. The guidelines are intended to serve as a reference for veterinarians as they employ vaccines in their respective practices.

Highlights of “Guidelines for the Vaccination of Horses” include:

· The identification of tetanus, Eastern/Western Equine Encephalomyelitis, West Nile virus and rabies as “core” vaccines. Core vaccines have clearly demonstrated efficacy and safety, and exhibit a high enough level of patient benefit and low enough level of risk to justify their use in the majority of patients.

· The addition of a vaccination protocol for anthrax.· Recommendations for the storage and handling of vaccines, as well as information on vaccine labeling and adverse reactions.

· Inclusion of the AAEP’s Infectious Disease Control Guidelines, which provide an action plan for the containment of infectious disease during an outbreak.

The Committee stresses that veterinarians, through an appropriate veterinarian-client-patient relationship, should use the vaccination guidelines coupled with available products to determine the best professional care for their patients. Horse owners should consult with a licensed veterinarian before initiating a vaccination program.

The Committee, comprised of researchers, vaccine manufacturers and private practitioners, updated guidelines that were established by the AAEP in 2001. The complete document, along with easy reference charts, is available on the AAEP Web site at http://www.aaep.org/vaccination_guidelines.htm.