OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 THE RIDER /15 Equine Health Advisory


Eastern Equine Encephalitis Confirmed in Bruce County


On October 12, 2017, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) was notified of a confirmed case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse in Bruce County. The 12-year old unvaccinated mare


with no travel history was euthanized fol- lowing the sudden onset and progression of neurological signs. The horse was found down in the field, became unresponsive and was euthanized. A post-mortem examina- tion was performed at the Animal Health Laboratory in Guelph, Ontario and EEE was confirmed by testing of brain tissue. Veterinarians in Ontario should con-


sider EEE as a differential diagnosis in horses exhibiting neurological signs and can identify positive cases through appro- priate testing. IgM antibodies to the EEE virus (EEEv) can be detected in serum from horses with neurological signs. Clinical signs of EEE (including circling, head- pressing, ataxia and depression) can mimic a variety of encephalitides including rabies, West Nile virus (WNV), botulism, hepatic encephalopathy, equine protozoal myeloen- cephalitis, and equine herpes myeloen- cephalopathy. Most equine cases of EEE in Ontario occur between August and Septem- ber, although cases such as this one can occur later in the year if environmental con- ditions permit the survival of the mosquito vector species. Effective equine vaccines for EEE are


available and veterinarians should encour- age clients to keep their horse’s vaccina- tions current. Once clinical infection develops, treatment options are limited to supportive care. The mortality rate in un- vaccinated horses is high. EEEv affects mainly equine species in


eastern North America, but can occasion- ally cause severe disease in humans, in- cluding permanent brain damage or death. EEEv has also caused fatal infections in pheasants, quail, captive whooping cranes, emus and dogs. EEEv has been present in the Ontario


horse population since 1938. In 2014, 24 EEE cases were reported. Equine neurolog- ical cases are posted on the OMAFRA web- site


at:


http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/live- stock/horses/westnile.htm Ontario’s local public health units are


conducting mosquito surveillance for both WNV and EEEv. Birds are the natural hosts for both viruses, which are transmitted to horses and humans by mosquitoes which have bitten an infected bird. During the week of October 1 to 7, 2017 one mosquito pool in the Huron health unit was positive for EEEv. https://www.publichealthon- tario.ca/en/DataAndAnalytics/Pages/WNV. aspx


Positive equine cases of EEE in On-


tario will be followed up by the local public health unit to determine whether the expo- sure of the horse was local or travel-related. The public health unit will also ensure that the risk of human exposure to mosquitoes in the area, which may potentially be car- rying EEEv, is minimized. Questions with respect to veterinary


public health issues or responses in Ontario should be directed to:


Dr. Catherine Filejski Public Health Veterinarian Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Tel: (416) 212-0424 Email: catherine.filejski@ontario.ca


Questions with respect to animal


health issues or responses in Ontario should be directed to:


Dr. Christa Arsenault Lead Veterinarian – Animal Health and Welfare Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food


1-877-TRYAVIA (519) 264-2354 RR #1, 8782 Longwoods Road, Mt. Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 www.viatrailers.ca


Tel: (519) 826-4323 E-mail: Christa.arsenault@on- tario.ca Or for equine health to:


Dr. Alison Moore Lead Veterinarian – Animal Health and Welfare Ontario Ministry of


Agriculture and Food Tel: (519) 826 – 4514 e-mail: alison.moore@ontario.ca Agricultural Information Con- tact Centre: 1-877-424-1300 E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca www.ontario.ca/omafra


Congratulations to The Royal


Agricultural Winter Fair on their 95th Anniversary


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