Encephalitis or equine encephalomyelitis is a viral disease of extreme gravity that affects both horses and humans, birds, although infected, suffer asymptomatically and without suffering consequences, in this article of Animal Expert we tell you everything we know about this virus that, in its endemic region, the American continent, has ended the lives of many horses.
We will discuss in detail the symptoms of equine encephalomyelitis, its treatment and the prevention of infection.Read on to learn all about the disease:
- Equine encephalitis or equine encephalomyelitis is a viral disease that can affect horses.
- Birds and humans.
- So we’re talking about zoonotic disease.
This disease has three varieties: eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEA), western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) and Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (EVD), all present in the Americas and caused by alphavirus viruses.
All viruses responsible for equine encephalitis belong to the same genus, these viruses are not very resistant to the outdoors, so it does not take long to denatur when they do not infect a body.
In principle, these viruses live within a certain type of mosquitoes that parasitized only certain wild birds and domestic reservoirs of the disease, always asymptomatic, never bite humans or other mammals The problem arises when temperatures rise in the area where they live and other types of mosquitoes appear that do not survive low temperatures.These new mosquitoes bite both birds and mammals, spreading the disease among them.
Symptoms of equine encephalomyelitis are like any other encephalitis.Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEA) is generally a shorter and more deadly disease.The onset and development of symptoms are:
After observing the symptoms of a horse affected by this virus, a veterinarian may consider a type of infection that damages the nervous system, however, to determine that it is a virus and, in particular, the virus that causes equine encephalitis, is necessary to achieve viral isolation in a variety of cell lines or in lactating rats.
Samples are taken directly from the encephalyl-hadakidian fluid of the affected animals, although nerve tissue samples may also be taken if the animal is already dead.ELISA testing or PCR RNA amplification are fast diagnostic methods commonly used in many laboratories.
There is no specific treatment for equine encephalomyelitis.Antibiotics are not effective and no drugs are known to act as antiviral drugs for this disease.In the most severe cases, palliative and supportive treatments such as horse hospitalization, respiratory assistance, fluid therapy and prevention are used.secondary infections.
To prevent equine encephalitis infection, there are several pathways
Proper use of all these prevention methods greatly reduces the possibility of an epidemic of encephalitis in horses.
This article is merely informative, at Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or carry out any type of diagnosis, we suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Viral Diseases section.