Eastern equine encephalitis
Quick Summary
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a severe viral disease primarily affecting horses and mules, transmitted by mosquitoes. It can also infect birds, reptiles, and humans. EEE is one of several types of equine encephalitis, caused by strains of togavirus.1
Symptoms in horses include loss of coordination, high fever, and paralysis, leading to it sometimes being called "sleeping sickness". In humans, symptoms can include headache, drowsiness, and mental confusion. EEE has a high mortality rate, with some sources stating it can be 30 to 50 percent in humans. Treatment focuses on comfort, and the disease can cause permanent brain damage. Control measures involve eradicating mosquitoes and using vaccines against certain strains.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- encephalitisEpidemics of encephalitis
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus can also cause disease in humans. In the late 1960s some 200,000 people in central Colombia were infected with the Venezuelan strain, which had also spread north through Central America and Mexico and into the United States, causing illness in…
Read MoreEastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus can also cause disease in humans. In the late 1960s some 200,000 people in central Colombia were infected with the Venezuelan strain, which had also spread north through Central America and Mexico and into the United States, causing illness in…
Read More
equine encephalitis…types of equine encephalitis, including Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), Western equine encephalitis (WEE), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), which are among the most prevalent and are caused by strains of togavirus. The virulent Western type has a mortality as high as 90 percent in horses and 10 percent in humans.…
Read More…types of equine encephalitis, including Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), Western equine encephalitis (WEE), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), which are among the most prevalent and are caused by strains of togavirus. The virulent Western type has a mortality as high as 90 percent in horses and 10 percent in humans.…
Read More