First EEE Positive Horses in New Jersey in 2014

New Jersey Department of Agriculture - MEMO
To:
Veterinarians
From: Manoel Tamassia, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACT, State Veterinarian
Date:
September 17, 2014
Re:
First EEE Positive Horses in New Jersey in 2014
A 4 year old mare from Atlantic County and a 2 year old mare from Ocean County have tested positive for Eastern
Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The Atlantic County horse began showing neurologic symptoms on August 10th and was
humanely euthanized on September 10th. The Ocean County horse began showing neurologic symptoms on September
11th and died on September 14th. These are the first confirmed equine cases of EEE this year.
EEE, a viral disease that affects horses’ neurological systems, is transmitted by mosquito bite. EEE is a serious
disease that causes inflammation of the brain tissue and has a significantly higher risk of death in horses than West Nile
Virus (WNV) infection. Horse owners are urged to vaccinate their animals from mosquito-borne illnesses such as
WNV and EEE because animals that are vaccinated are less likely to contract these deadly diseases. Effective
equine vaccines for WNV and EEE have been available for several years.
In 2013, New Jersey had 2 cases of equine EEE in August. No cases of equine WNV occurred in New Jersey in 2014.
For more information about EEE and WNV in horses, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture web site at:
http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/diseaseworksheets.html
WNV and EEE, like other viral diseases affecting horses’ neurological systems, must be reported to the state
veterinarian within 48 hours, and a neurologic disease worksheet must be completed for each case reported. The
worksheet is available at the following website and once completed can be faxed to the Division. http://
jerseyvetlab.nj.gov/sample/forms/FORM-R-019%201%20Neurologic%20Disease%20Worksheet.pdf.
The NJDA - Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (AHDL) is available to assist with EEE, WNV, and EHV-1 testing.
ELISA ($20.00)
PCR ($35.00)
HI titer ($15.00)
2-3
1 ml serum, w/cold
1 ml whole blood PTT*/CSF**/brain
1 ml serum, w/cold pack
days
pack
tissue
PCR ($35.00)
ELISA ($20.00)
2-3
WNV
Whole blood PTT */CSF**/brain tissue
1 ml serum, w/cold pack
days
Neurologic PCR ($50.00)
EHV-1 SN titer ($15.00)
2-4
EHV-1
Whole blood PTT/Nasal swab, brain tissue
1 ml serum, w/cold pack
days
Contact Dr. Amar Patil (609) 671-6405 or via email at [email protected] *PTT-purple top tube **spinal
fluid
EEE
Please note the new phone numbers for the Division of Animal Health and the AHDL
Division of Animal Health
Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory
Phone: (609) 671-6400
Phone: (609) 406-6999
Fax: (609) 671-6413
Fax: (609) 671-6414
(If sent via courier service):
NJ Department of Agriculture
Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory
NJPHEAL, 3 Schwarzkopf Drive
Ewing, NJ 08628
Mail laboratory specimen(s) and laboratory submission form to:
(If sent via U.S. Postal Service):
NJ Department of Agriculture
Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory
P.O. Box 330
Trenton, NJ 08625

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