Content
- What is Equine Encephalomyelitis
- Equine encephalomyelitis: causes
- Equine encephalomyelitis symptoms
- Equine encephalomyelitis: diagnosis
- Equine encephalomyelitis: treatment
- Equine encephalomyelitis vaccine
Equine encephalitis or encephalomyelitis is a extremely serious viral disease that affects the horses and, also, the human being. Birds, even if infected, present the disease asymptomatically and without suffering sequelae. In this article by PeritoAnimal, we tell you everything that is known about this virus that, in its endemic region - the American continent - ended the lives of many horses.
We will talk about the symptomatology of equine encephalomyelitis in detail, its treatment and prevention of infection. Keep reading to know everything about the disease:
What is Equine Encephalomyelitis
THE equine encephalitis or equine encephalomyelitis is a viral disease that can affect horses, birds and humans, so we speak of a zoonosis.
This disease has three varieties: Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE), all present in the American continent and caused by viruses of the type Alphavirus.
Equine encephalomyelitis: causes
The viruses causing equine encephalitis all belong to the same genus. These viruses are very little resistant in the external environment, so they do not take long to denaturalize when they are not infecting a body.
In principle, these viruses live inside some genera of mosquitoes that only parasitize certain wild and domestic birds that are reservoirs of the disease, always asymptomatic, never bite humans or other mammals. The problem arises when temperatures rise in the region where they live and other genera of mosquitoes that do not survive low temperatures. These new mosquitoes bite both birds and mammals, transmitting the disease between them.
Equine encephalomyelitis symptoms
The symptoms of equine encephalomyelitis are like any other encephalitis. Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) is usually a shorter and more deadly disease. The appearance and development of symptoms are:
- High fever.
- The horse stops eating.
- A depression appears in the animal.
- Your head shows a slumped position in relation to the body.
- Lips and lips remain slack.
- The vision is changed.
- The horse places its legs so that they are very far apart from each other.
- Involuntary movements arise because the brain starts to become inflamed.
- Ataxia, parexia and finally paralysis appear.
- The animal lies down, has a seizure and dies.
Equine encephalomyelitis: diagnosis
After observing the symptoms that a horse affected by this virus demonstrates, a veterinarian may consider some type of infection that damages the nervous system. However, to determine that it is a virus, and specifically the virus that causes equine encephalitis, it is necessary to carry out a viral isolation in a variety of cell lines or in lactating rats.
Samples are collected directly from the cerebrospinal fluid from affected animals, although samples of nervous tissue can also be collected if the animal has already died. ELISA tests or RNA amplification using PCR are rapid diagnostic methods commonly used in many laboratories.
Equine encephalomyelitis: treatment
there is no equine encephalomyelitis treatment in specific. Antibiotics are not effective and no drug is known to act as an antiviral for this disease. In more severe cases, palliative and supportive treatment is used, such as horse hospitalization, respiratory assistance, fluid therapy and prevention of secondary infections.
Equine encephalomyelitis vaccine
To prevent equine encephalitis infection, there are several ways:
- systematic vaccination of all horses with vaccines that carry the attenuated virus or others with the inactive virus. If in doubt, we will consult with the veterinarian regarding equine vaccination plan recommendations. Two vaccines for human use can also be found on the market.
- Mosquito pest control fumigating the area, which is not recommended as it affects other arthropods and other animals that have no relationship with the disease. It is better to use local but highly effective repellents.
- Use of mosquito nets, fumigation and hygiene in the stables. Avoid standing water in drums or puddles where mosquitoes can breed.
The correct use of all these prevention methods greatly reduces the possibility of an epidemic of encephalitis in horses.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Equine encephalomyelitis: symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our section on Viral diseases.