− | The disease is not directly contagious between horses and humans but occurs sporadically in both species from mid-summer to late autumn - during the height of the vector season.<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005)'''Volume 1: Guide to Equine Clinics''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> Case numbers peak in June to November in temperate climates.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> The vector season is longer in warmer climates, where the disease period is prolonged. Global warming may promote more outbreaks in historically colder climates.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> | + | The disease is not directly contagious between horses and humans but occurs sporadically in both species from mid-summer to late autumn - during the height of the vector season.<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005) '''Guide to Equine Clinics Volume 1: Equine Medicine''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> Case numbers peak in June to November in temperate climates.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> The vector season is longer in warmer climates, where the disease period is prolonged. Global warming may promote more outbreaks in historically colder climates.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> |
− | Following an incubation period of up to 21days<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref>, an initial pyrexia and mild depression are short-lived and often missed. The acute phase of the disease presents with mild to severe pyrexia, anorexia and stiffness, lasting up to 5 days. During this time, the horse is viraemic and capable of amplifying the disease. The fever may then fluctuate with neurological derangements appearing a few days post-infection.<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005)'''Volume 1: Guide to Equine Clinics''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> These changes indicate disease progression, which occurs more frequently with EEE (the most virulent of the three serotypes). Any of the following may be observed<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref>: | + | Following an incubation period of up to 21days<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref>, an initial pyrexia and mild depression are short-lived and often missed. The acute phase of the disease presents with mild to severe pyrexia, anorexia and stiffness, lasting up to 5 days. During this time, the horse is viraemic and capable of amplifying the disease. The fever may then fluctuate with neurological derangements appearing a few days post-infection.<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005) '''Guide to Equine Clinics Volume 1: Equine Medicine''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> These changes indicate disease progression, which occurs more frequently with EEE (the most virulent of the three serotypes). Any of the following may be observed<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref>: |
− | Ab titre increases sharply within 24 hours of the initial viraemia, before clinical signs are apparent. It then deteriorates over 6 months. Samples taken when clinical signs appear are likely to miss the Ab peak and will demonstrate a decreasing titre.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Thus, serological confirmation of Eastern or Western EEV infection requires a four-fold or greater increase<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005)'''Volume 1: Guide to Equine Clinics''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> OR decrease in Ab titre in paired serum samples taken 10-14 days apart.<ref name="manual">''Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals'' found at http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/A_00081.htm, accessed July 2010.</ref> A presumptive diagnosis can be made on a single sample if an unvaccinated horse with suggestive clinical signs has Ab against only Eastern or Western EEV.<ref name="manual">''Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals'' found at http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/A_00081.htm, accessed July 2010.</ref> Colostral-derived Ab has a serum half-life of around 20days and may interfere with diagnosis in foals.<ref name="repeat"> Ferguson, J.A, Reeves, W.C, Hardy, J.L (1979) Studies on immunity to alphaviruses in foals, ''Am J Vet Res'', 40:5-10. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> | + | Ab titre increases sharply within 24 hours of the initial viraemia, before clinical signs are apparent. It then deteriorates over 6 months. Samples taken when clinical signs appear are likely to miss the Ab peak and will demonstrate a decreasing titre.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Thus, serological confirmation of Eastern or Western EEV infection requires a four-fold or greater increase<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005) '''Guide to Equine Clinics Volume 1: Equine Medicine''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> OR decrease in Ab titre in paired serum samples taken 10-14 days apart.<ref name="manual">''Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals'' found at http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/A_00081.htm, accessed July 2010.</ref> A presumptive diagnosis can be made on a single sample if an unvaccinated horse with suggestive clinical signs has Ab against only Eastern or Western EEV.<ref name="manual">''Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals'' found at http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/A_00081.htm, accessed July 2010.</ref> Colostral-derived Ab has a serum half-life of around 20days and may interfere with diagnosis in foals.<ref name="repeat"> Ferguson, J.A, Reeves, W.C, Hardy, J.L (1979) Studies on immunity to alphaviruses in foals, ''Am J Vet Res'', 40:5-10. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> |
− | Most vaccines are killed (produced in cell culture and inactivated with formalin)<ref name="manual">''Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals'' found at http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/A_00081.htm, accessed July 2010.</ref> and elicit significant increases in Ab titre after 3 days.<ref name="attenuated">Ferguson, J.A, Reeves, W.C, Milby, M.M, Hardy, J.L (1978) Study of homologous and heterologous antibody responses in California horses vaccinated with attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis vaccine (strain TC-83), ''Am J Vet Res'', 39:371-376. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Protective titres last for 6-8 months.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Some cross-protection is seen between the serotypes but not between Western and Eastern EEV.<ref>Jochim, M.M, Barber, T.L (1974) Immune response of horses after simultaneous or sequential vaccination against eastern, Western and Venezuelan equine encephlaomyelitis, ''J Am Vet Med Assoc'', 165:621-625. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Monovalent, divalent and trivalent vaccines are available but the response to monovalent VEE vaccination is decreased in horses previously vaccinated against WEE and EEE.<ref>Calisher, C.H, Sasso, D.R, Sather, G.E (1973) Possible evidence for interference with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus vaccination of equines by pre-existing antibody to eastern or western equine encephalitis virus, or both, ''Appl Microbiol'', 26:485-488. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> The current recommendation is to vaccinate susceptible horses annually in late spring or several months before the high risk season.<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005)'''Volume 1: Guide to Equine Clinics''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> Biannual or triannual vaccination should be employed in regions where the vector season is prolonged.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Susceptible horses should also be vaccinated in the face of an outbreak.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Mares should be vaccinated one month prior to foaling to boost colostral-derived Ab<ref name="again">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/100900.htm&word=Equine%2cencephalitis, accessed July 2010</ref>, which persists for 6-7 months.<ref name="repeat"> Ferguson, J.A, Reeves, W.C, Hardy, J.L (1979) Studies on immunity to alphaviruses in foals, ''Am J Vet Res'', 40:5-10. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Although foals can be vaccinated at any time, early vaccination should be followed by boosters at 6 months and at one year. Vaccination does not interfere with the ELISA assay for VEE.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> '''NOTE''': Formalin-treated preparations of virulent epizootic VEE virus should never be used in equids as residual virulent virus can result in severe illness. Instead, the attenuated vaccine, strain TC-83<ref name="attenuated">Ferguson, J.A, Reeves, W.C, Milby, M.M, Hardy, J.L (1978) Study of homologous and heterologous antibody responses in California horses vaccinated with attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis vaccine (strain TC-83), ''Am J Vet Res'', 39:371-376. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref>, or an inactivated preparation created from that strain should be used. <ref>Walton, T.E, Grayson, M.A (1989)Chapter 46, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis. In: ''The Arboviruses: Epidemiology and Ecology'', Vol. 4, Monath T.P., ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, 203-231. In:''Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals'' found at http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/A_00081.htm, accessed July 2010.</ref> '''''PRECAUTION'': human vaccination is recommended for vets in endemic areas'''. | + | Most vaccines are killed (produced in cell culture and inactivated with formalin)<ref name="manual">''Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals'' found at http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/A_00081.htm, accessed July 2010.</ref> and elicit significant increases in Ab titre after 3 days.<ref name="attenuated">Ferguson, J.A, Reeves, W.C, Milby, M.M, Hardy, J.L (1978) Study of homologous and heterologous antibody responses in California horses vaccinated with attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis vaccine (strain TC-83), ''Am J Vet Res'', 39:371-376. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Protective titres last for 6-8 months.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Some cross-protection is seen between the serotypes but not between Western and Eastern EEV.<ref>Jochim, M.M, Barber, T.L (1974) Immune response of horses after simultaneous or sequential vaccination against eastern, Western and Venezuelan equine encephlaomyelitis, ''J Am Vet Med Assoc'', 165:621-625. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Monovalent, divalent and trivalent vaccines are available but the response to monovalent VEE vaccination is decreased in horses previously vaccinated against WEE and EEE.<ref>Calisher, C.H, Sasso, D.R, Sather, G.E (1973) Possible evidence for interference with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus vaccination of equines by pre-existing antibody to eastern or western equine encephalitis virus, or both, ''Appl Microbiol'', 26:485-488. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> The current recommendation is to vaccinate susceptible horses annually in late spring or several months before the high risk season.<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005) '''Guide to Equine Clinics Volume 1: Equine Medicine''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> Biannual or triannual vaccination should be employed in regions where the vector season is prolonged.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Susceptible horses should also be vaccinated in the face of an outbreak.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Mares should be vaccinated one month prior to foaling to boost colostral-derived Ab<ref name="again">Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual (Eighth Edition), Merial found at http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/100900.htm&word=Equine%2cencephalitis, accessed July 2010</ref>, which persists for 6-7 months.<ref name="repeat"> Ferguson, J.A, Reeves, W.C, Hardy, J.L (1979) Studies on immunity to alphaviruses in foals, ''Am J Vet Res'', 40:5-10. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Although foals can be vaccinated at any time, early vaccination should be followed by boosters at 6 months and at one year. Vaccination does not interfere with the ELISA assay for VEE.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> '''NOTE''': Formalin-treated preparations of virulent epizootic VEE virus should never be used in equids as residual virulent virus can result in severe illness. Instead, the attenuated vaccine, strain TC-83<ref name="attenuated">Ferguson, J.A, Reeves, W.C, Milby, M.M, Hardy, J.L (1978) Study of homologous and heterologous antibody responses in California horses vaccinated with attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis vaccine (strain TC-83), ''Am J Vet Res'', 39:371-376. In: Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref>, or an inactivated preparation created from that strain should be used. <ref>Walton, T.E, Grayson, M.A (1989)Chapter 46, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis. In: ''The Arboviruses: Epidemiology and Ecology'', Vol. 4, Monath T.P., ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, 203-231. In:''Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals'' found at http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mmanual/A_00081.htm, accessed July 2010.</ref> '''''PRECAUTION'': human vaccination is recommended for vets in endemic areas'''. |
− | Responsible use of insecticides and repellents<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005)'''Volume 1: Guide to Equine Clinics''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref>, elimination of standing water, and stable screening will all help to reduce viral transmission. Environmental application of insecticides may be useful in endemic areas or during an outbreak.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Horses infected with Venezuelan EEV should be isolated for 3 weeks after complete recovery.<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005)'''Volume 1: Guide to Equine Clinics''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> | + | Responsible use of insecticides and repellents<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005) '''Guide to Equine Clinics Volume 1: Equine Medicine''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref>, elimination of standing water, and stable screening will all help to reduce viral transmission. Environmental application of insecticides may be useful in endemic areas or during an outbreak.<ref name="multiple">Bertone, J.J (2010) Viral Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine''' (Third Edition), ''Saunders'', Chapter 12</ref> Horses infected with Venezuelan EEV should be isolated for 3 weeks after complete recovery.<ref name="same">Pasquini, C, Pasquini S, Woods, P (2005) '''Guide to Equine Clinics Volume 1: Equine Medicine''', third edition, p266, SUDZ publishing.</ref> |