how much of a threat is WEE/EEE?

[CosMonster]

I was thinking today as I was giving my guys their 3-way (EEE, WEE, Tetanus) vaccinations, how much of a threat are WEE and EEE in the US, especially in the west? I have never heard of any horse or person coming down with these (I didn't even realize people could get it, but according to Google they can). According to those same Google sources, epidemics in the US (with no mention as to geographic area) are "rare", but what does that even mean?

I know it varies a lot from area to area--for example, my vet doesn't recommend vaccinating for VEE or PHF unless we're planning on traveling east, but can anyone give me an idea? Google was very unhelpful.

And just to cool the possible panic attacks, I'm not planning on not vaccinating for them unless my vet tells me not to. I'm just curious. I have most of this week off work and apparently have too much time on my hands to ponder these things. :lol:

[AKB]

You can check the statistics for your area by a google search. We are in Virginia, and it is rare to have EEE in Northern Virginia. There seem to be sporadic cases in southeastern VA. I think Florida had an outbreak of EEE last year. The problem is that if you don't immunize until there are cases in your area, it is sometimes too late to develop immunity before your horse is exposed to the disease and potentially becomes sick or dead. I'm not willing to take that chance with some illnesses (e.g. rabies, encephalitis, or even strangles).

[dudders]

APHIS tracks equine cases of EEE and WEE. Info's at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ee/index.htm

I think they break it down by state, but, naturally, the server's down as I type this. Try again in a bit.

And the CDC site has good info on human incidence.

VEE hasn't been in US since 1971--info sheet at http://www-mirror.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/fsvee.html

[CosMonster]

nm, thanks dudders. I fail at google. ;)

[Wraper2]

3 years ago I lost a 2yr old to EEE. She had been vaccinated 10 months prior.

I am in NW Florida..... it's out there.

[Home Again Farm]

The thing about EEE is that it may not be seen for years and then you may see it a lot. I remember all too well about 10 years ago when a good friend of mine lost her young stallion to it, despite the fact that he had gotten his "annual spring shots." She learned then that the vaccine should be given twice a year. It was a terrible death. That particular year there were dozens of cases. I would never leave a horse unvaccinated for encephalitis. The vaccine is cheap and effective.

[deltawave]

Given the fact that it's up to 50% fatal in humans and 90%+ fatal in horses, and the fact that there is a very safe and effective vaccine available, I put it in the "no brainer" category. :)

[ksojerio]

I am in AZ and my vet recommends WEE and EEE as part of the spring shot series.

Here are the recommendations on her website http://www.sazequine.com/index.php?page=_Vaccines

[Chief2]

We get a few cases near the shoreline (human and equine) each year. This year the bats have been virtually wiped out in New England, so I imagine the insect count will end up being off the charts. I vaccinate yearly for EEE, WEE and WNV, and will probably still be keeping the horse inside at night during the height of mosquito season this year. :(

[Horsegal984]

Another way to think about it is like the MMR shot we get as childern. You never hear about it anymore, because we have pretty much vaccinated it out of existance in our population. While we do still see EEE/WEE outbreaks they are largely managed and controlled by the vast majority of the population being vaccinated. So in theory, while we don't see it that much or have that many cases, if we were to 'feel safe' and stop vaccinating for it we would likely see a huge increase in the number of cases in the 5-10 years after.

Katherine
Vet Tech

[CosMonster]

I remember all too well about 10 years ago when a good friend of mine lost her young stallion to it, despite the fact that he had gotten his "annual spring shots." She learned then that the vaccine should be given twice a year.

I'm sorry for your friend's loss (and yours too, Wraper2). Is the need for it to be given twice yearly a regional thing? I have lived in arid regions all my life and I have never given it twice a year, nor had a vet recommend that. It has always just been in the spring shots. We of course don't have many mosquitoes and definitely not a year round bug season.

[Home Again Farm]

I'm sorry for your friend's loss (and yours too, Wraper2). Is the need for it to be given twice yearly a regional thing? I have lived in arid regions all my life and I have never given it twice a year, nor had a vet recommend that. It has always just been in the spring shots. We of course don't have many mosquitoes and definitely not a year round bug season.

My guess is that it may be regional. In FL the recommendation is at least 2X a year. Many (including me) give it 3X. I'd go with the recommendation for your area. Just know that the immunity does not last a full year.

[shawneeAcres]

We are in NC and in eastern NC (my area) you usually hear of a few cases of EEE each year, usually horses that have not been vaccinated, but I knew of a case at a very well known barn in piedmont NC and the horse had been vaccinated but died from it anyways. vaccination is not a 100% preventative, but better than nothing!

[SkipHiLad4me]

We give it 2x a year in coastal NC and at one point some vets were even going 3x a year - the moquitos looks like small flying chickens here:eek: There have been reported cases of horses AND people contracting EEE within the last 3-4 years in the region of the state where I live. So yes, EEE/WEE and West Nile are not optional here. :yes:

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

I'm surprised to see so many of my fellow southeasterners vaccinating spring and fall for the encephalitises. Both my vets recommend just spring ee and WNV shots for my two - I do rabies and rhinoflu in fall.

OP - near Myrtle Beach, where I live, we'll hear of several horses (usually unvaccinated ones) and usually a child or two coming down with it every year. But I'm on the mosquito coast;) - I wouldn't think it would be such a problem where you are. Let us know what your vet says.

[Huntertwo]

I'm in CT and vaccinate for it every year. It's cheap enough and why take a chance, no matter how remote?

[JB]

EEE and WEE 2x a year here. I just switched to Previnile in the Fall, so just yearly for that now.

Twice a year is recommended in areas where skeeter season never really ends. Even here, they might be done for a month or two, but it's very common to see them starting in January or February, and certainly in to October and even into November. The late Summer/early fall 2nd shot for EEE and WEE gives some insurance against that.

[Chief2]

I'm in CT and vaccinate for it every year. It's cheap enough and why take a chance, no matter how remote?

I'm actually wondering if we should bump it up to 2x's this year? It gets pretty buggy as it is in late sumer/early fall as it is.

[Ghazzu]

I'm actually wondering if we should bump it up to 2x's this year? It gets pretty buggy as it is in late sumer/early fall as it is.

I just give it relatively late in the spring. (as in discouragng people from starting "spring shots" at the end of February)
It's not just mosquitoes, it's the particular species of mosquitoes you need to consider, and the ones that tend to bite both birds and mammals are more numerous later in the season in the northeast, any road. (one of my clients works in the MA mosquito abatement program...)

[Chief2]

Thank you for responding, Ghazzu. Our vaccination appointment is scheduled for April 24th. Do you think that would be late enough in the spring?

[Ghazzu]

Thank you for responding, Ghazzu. Our vaccination appointment is scheduled for April 24th. Do you think that would be late enough in the spring?

Sounds good to me.

[Chief2]

Thank you!