State sees surge in cases of Eastern equine encephalitis
About 170 horses have been diagnosed with the disease, which often kills unvaccinated horses and can be fatal to humans.
By Associated Press
Published July 30, 2003
TALLAHASSEE - Nearly seven times as many horses have contracted Eastern equine encephalitis in Florida this year as in all of 2002, despite an increased awareness of the mosquito-borne disease and an effective vaccine.
About 170 horses have been diagnosed with the disease, up from 25 last year.
The disease, which kills nearly all unvaccinated horses it infects, also is potentially fatal to humans. Two children have been diagnosed with it so far this year in Florida.
State health officials say the spike in horse cases does not necessarily mean there will be more human cases.
"Typically in Florida, in any given year, we have between one and five (human) cases," said Florida Health Secretary Dr. John Agwunobi.
The reason for the sharp increase in horse cases may be a combination of an increase in mosquitoes brought by heavy rains and some horse owners not realizing they need to update their animals' vaccines, officials say.
In Ocala, where sprawling horse farms make up the region's largest industry, ranch owners are keenly aware of the threats.
"Almost 100 percent of the thoroughbred industry - anybody who is a significant breeder and has an investment - they're vaccinating and I don't think you're seeing any problems," said Richard Hancock, executive vice president of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association.
Hancock said many people who own just a single horse fail to vaccinate, either because of the cost or because they're less aware of the danger.
In all, the state has about 500,000 horses.
Eastern equine encephalitis attacks the central nervous system of people and horses. Like West Nile, it is spread by mosquitoes, which transmit the disease from infected birds.
Eastern equine encephalitis can kill as many as half of the people who catch it, while West Nile is fatal to between 3 and 15 percent of humans who contract it and become severely ill.
This year, a 7-month-old Bay County boy and a 3-year-old Orange County girl have contracted the disease.
Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina all are seeing the highest number of horse cases in years.
