Ag News
West Nile virus, EEE confirmed in Georgia horses
Posted on Aug 20, 2025 at 17:05 PM
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a horse in Fulton County and separate cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Long and Telfair counties, according to the Equine Disease Communications Center (EDCC).
The Fulton County WNV case was confirmed on Aug. 11.
According to the EDCC, WNV is a mosquito-borne that primarily causes disease in birds, humans, and horses and is transmitted by many different species of mosquitoes. Since 1999, more than 27,600 U.S. horses have been confirmed with WNV neuro-invasive disease with an estimated average case fatality rate of 30–40%. WNV is considered endemic (regularly occurring) with an average of 300 cases per year in the U.S.
Clinical signs include:
• Depression and anorexia without fever when initially infected; mild low-grade fever (101.5-103.5°F or 38.6-39.7°C) in about 25% of affected horses; lack of appetite; lethargy/drowsiness;
• Neurologic signs like periods of hyperexcitability, apprehension and/or drowsiness; fine tremors and muscle twitching of the face and neck; facial paralysis and weakness of the tongue; head tilt, droopy lip, muzzle deviation; weakness, clumsiness, and dysmetria (incoordination) in one or all limbs; complete paralysis of one or more limbs; colic; inability to stand and death.
Diagnosis is made by a veterinarian by testing blood. There is no cure for WNV; supportive care is administered in cases which show clinical signs.
The EDCC recommends keeping all horses up to date on vaccinations, especially the WNV vaccine. Initial vaccination is followed in 4 to 6 weeks with a booster; yearly revaccination is recommended after. More frequent boosters (i.e. twice yearly) are recommended in areas with year-round mosquito seasons and in endemic areas.
Other practices to help prevent WNV:
• Practice vector management on all properties where horses are kept; use insect repellents frequently; re-apply after rain; keep horses in at night when possible and apply insect repellant; eliminate or minimize standing water; stock tanks or ponds with mosquito-feeding fish; eliminate brush piles, gutters, old tires and litter; remove all equipment in which standing water can collect.
The first case of EEE, in Long County, was confirmed on June 27. The second case of EEE, in Telfair County, was confirmed on Aug. 14.
EEE, also known as the sleeping sickness, is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is also transmitted by mosquitoes.
Clinical signs and symptoms of eastern equine encephalitis include the following:
• Depression and anorexia, initially without a fever when initially infected; moderate to high fever; lack of appetite; lethargy/drowsiness; neurologic signs- onset of neurologic disease is frequently sudden and progressive; periods of hyperexcitability, apprehension and/or drowsiness; fine tremors and twitches of the face and neck muscles; convulsions;cranial nerve paralysis-facial paralysis and weakness of the tongue are very common; head tilt, droopy lip, muzzle deviation; weakness and incoordination; complete paralysis of one or more limbs; colic; inability to stand and death;
Diagnosis is made by a veterinarian through blood tests.
As with WNV, there is no cure for EEE, and supportive care is administered in horses which show clinical signs.
Vaccination for EEE is highly effective and is recommended as a core vaccination.
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