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Description
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. CNS replication within a week
Epidemiology
Transfer via vector: mostly through mosquito salivary transfer Disease amplification occurs during the viraemic phase which lasts until nervous signs develop.
Signalment
Diagnosis
Clinical signs. Virus isolation can be performed from blood or spinal fluid
Clinical Signs
Worse in unvaccinated animals. Acute signs of EEE and WEE are nonspecific, last up to 5 days and include:
- mild to severe pyrexia
- anorexia
- stiffness
Early signs transient and often missed:
- pyrexia
- mild depression
Disease progression occurs more frequently with EEE than WEE:
- fever may rise and fall sporadically
Cerebral signs often occur a few days post-infection (but can occur at any time. In the acute phase the following may be noted:
- propulsive walking
- depression
- somnolence
- hyperaesthesia
- agression
- excitability
- frenzy in response to sensory stimulation
- conscious proprioceptive deficits
- Paralysis of the lips
- Drooping eyelids
- Incoordination
Laboratory Tests
Biopsy
Pathology
Treatment
Prognosis
Often fatal
Control
Annual vaccination. Vector control. Human vaccination recommended for vets in endemic areas