Two horses die of viral disease

September 18, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

Two horses in western Ohio have died of a rare viral disease that officials say was last seen in the state two decades ago and that can infect — and potentially kill — humans.

The horses died Monday of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a mosquito-transmitted virus that can infect birds, horses and people, Ohio’s health and agriculture departments confirmed. The two horse deaths on a Mercer County farm were the first reported in Ohio since 1991.

As of Sept. 10, 164 cases of the virus had been reported in horses in 13 states this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There were 83 in Florida, 36 in Michigan and 18 in Mississippi. Seven or fewer were reported in the other states.

U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinarians “strongly recommend” vaccinations for Eastern Equine Encephalitis and its Western and Venezuelan counterparts, said Jim Barrett, a department spokesman.

State agriculture officials said horses are highly susceptible to the disease and can die without vaccination. Infected horses experience symptoms including paralysis, impaired vision, difficulty swallowing, hanging their heads and grinding their teeth.

Human infections are rare and none has been reported in Ohio, but the state Department of Health urged people to wear protective clothing to avoid mosquito bites. Insect repellants are recommended for humans and animals.

Outbreaks of the disease typically occur in late summer and early fall when mosquitoes are most abundant.

The virus most commonly is spread in and around freshwater hardwood swamps in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states and the Great Lakes region.