Dusty Moon Veterinary Services

DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCES IN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS?

Eastern (EEE), Western (WEE), and Venezuelan (VEE). All are mosquito-borne viruses that can cause brain inflammation and severe neurologic disease.

Where Do They Occur?
• EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis): Historically in the U.S., it has occurred in all states east of the Mississippi River, with particular prevalence in the Southeastern U.S. More recently, cases have been identified as far west as Texas and north into eastern Canada.

• WEE (Western Equine Encephalitis): Recorded more commonly in the Western U.S.; historically had large outbreaks, but no equine cases have been reported in the last two decades.

• VEE (Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis): Causes outbreaks in Central and South America and Mexico, and only occasionally in the southern U.S.; last occurred in the U.S. (Texas) in 1971, but there is continuing concern about re-introduction.

How Do They Spread?
• EEE & WEE: Spread primarily by mosquitoes, with birds (and some snakes) helping keep the virus cycling in nature. Horses are “dead-end hosts”—they typically do not develop enough virus in their blood to infect mosquitoes.
• VEE: Also spread by mosquitoes, but horses can develop a high enough viremia to infect mosquitoes, meaning horses can help amplify outbreaks. This is a major difference from EEE/WEE.

All three can cause fever and neurologic signs. Signs can vary, but may include behavior changes, incoordination, blindness, seizures, and coma.

Mortality Rates in Unvaccinated Horses?
• EEE: 75–95% (often within 2–3 days of signs starting)
• WEE: 20–40% (generally less severe than EEE)
• VEE: 40–90%

For surviving patients, any of these infections can leave long-term neurologic deficits; this is especially noted with EEE and VEE.

Reportability:
All three (EEE, WEE, VEE) are reportable diseases—your veterinarian will notify animal health officials of suspected and confirmed cases.

How Can We Help Prevent Disease?
• EEE and WEE vaccines are considered “core” for horses living in or traveling to North America, because these diseases are severe and mosquito-borne.
• VEE vaccination is risk-based (depends on likely exposure).
• Reducing mosquito exposure matters because these viruses are primarily mosquito transmitted.

If you have questions or concerns about Equine Encephalitis, contact your veterinarian.

🥛 NEW LOCATION! 🐐

We are proud to announce that Dusty Moon Veterinary Services now has a freezer with our Phinney Farm fresh goat milk for pets available right inside the clinic! 🤩

Be in the know!

Worried about a quarantine? New World screwworm movement restriction zones work much different than other infectious disease quarantines.

✅Animals can still move! Animals are able to move into and out of the zone as soon as they meet TAHC requirements.

✅Checkpoints are quick and simple! Trailers moving through an infested zone must stop at TAHC checkpoints. If animals are coming from outside of an infested zone and intend to keep moving through the zone to an address outside of the zone, they will receive educational outreach and be allowed to keep moving.

✅TAHC will work with you to avoid interrupting continuity of business! Call the TAHC as soon as you know you want to move animals out of an infested zone. We will schedule an inspection and advise you on how to meet requirements to keep your animals moving safely.

In response to the recent confirmation from the USDA of the presence of New World Screwworm in the United States, the AAEP has published New World Screwworm Infestation (Disease) Guidelines.

View the guidelines here: https://ow.ly/SNsM50Z92rh

Topicals that can be used for new world screwworm in livestock. Vigilance is key with being sure to check all livestock and pets daily for wounds of any sort and acting quickly with treatment and diligent monitoring.

Several pesticides are currently registered by the Environmental Protection Agency for use against screwworm. Examples of approved equine-labeled products and their active ingredient include the following listed on the graphic. For a full list of approved products and their associated species, visit:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/pesticides-for-nws.pdf

An example of an approved product for the outside surfaces of buildings and perimeter treatment is EP152 EW Insecticide (Environmental Science US LLC) with active ingredient Zeta-Cypermethrin. Additionally, DeltaGard Fly Insecticide products (Environmental Science US LLC) with active ingredient Deltamethrin is approved for this use.

The AAEP has also published New World Screwworm Infestation (Disease) Guidelines. View this resource here: https://aaep.org/resource/aaep-infectious-disease-guidelines-new-world-screwworm/

This is Vivian, she seems to be a bit judgemental about her "spa" laser treatment.😎🐕 But she sure makes those shades look good. 🥰🐾❤️

On June 7th, USDA announced two additional NWS cases in Texas- a calf in La Salle County with an umbilical lesion, and a dog in Andrews County.

*UPDATE* The NWS case in Andrews County has been reclassified by USDA to be the first case in New Mexico, not Texas: https://bit.ly/USDA-NWSNM

An additional infested zone has been established in La Salle and Webb County, and additional epidemiological investigations are occurring to learn more about the case in Andrews County. Those located in the infested zones should stay updated with current movement requirements. View the TAHC interactive NWS map here: https://bit.ly/NWS-ZoneMap