Western equine encephalitis
Quick Summary
Western equine encephalitis (WEE) is a severe viral disease affecting horses, mules, and sometimes birds, reptiles, and humans. It is transmitted by mosquitoes. The Western type of this disease can be fatal, with up to a 90 percent mortality rate in horses and a 10 percent rate in humans.1
Symptoms in horses include loss of coordination, high fever, paralysis, and disturbances in equilibrium. Humans may experience headache, drowsiness, sweating, and mental confusion, leading to it sometimes being called sleeping sickness. There is no specific treatment for WEE, but prevention focuses on controlling mosquitoes and avoiding bites. Recovery or vaccination can confer immunity.12
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- encephalitisEpidemics of encephalitis
of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), Western equine encephalitis (WEE), and 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…
Read Moreof Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), Western equine encephalitis (WEE), and 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…
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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. Other types include Japanese…
Read More…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. Other types include Japanese…
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