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====Description====
====Description====
'''NOTIFIABLE''' and '''ZOONOTIC''' infectious mosquito-borne disease of equidae. The same virus strains can cause serious human disease as well as infecting poultry and other farmed birds including quail, ostriches and emus. The disease is not directly contagious between horses and man.
'''NOTIFIABLE''' and '''ZOONOTIC''' infectious mosquito-borne disease of equidae. The same virus strains can cause serious human disease as well as infecting poultry and other farmed birds including quail, ostriches and emus (ratites). The disease is not directly contagious between horses and man.
Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis viruses belong to the genus Alphavirus of the family Togaviridae. These viruses cycle between birds and mosquitoes. The disease occurs sporadically in horses and humans from mid-summer to late autumn. Horses and humans are tangential dead-end hosts. The disease in horses is characterised by fever, anorexia, and severe depression. Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus infection in horses is often fatal, while Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus can cause a subclinical or mild disease with less than 30% mortality
Viraemia during the acute phase of EEE and WEE. Incubation period of 1-3weeks after experimental infection with EEE or WEE. Incubtion often shorter with EEE. Central nervous system (CNS) replication within a week
Viraemia during the acute phase of EEE and WEE. Incubation period of 1-3weeks after experimental infection with EEE or WEE. Incubtion often shorter with EEE. Central nervous system (CNS) replication within a week