Equine Encephalitis Update: USA
The latest USDA report on equine encephalitis surveillance data gives a good picture of what has happened so far this summer with West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus and western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus in the US. The data, last updated July 28, report no cases of WEE anywhere in the US. In contrast, EEE has been found in seven states (Florida (43 cases), Georgia (22), Mississippi (16), Alabama (6), North Carolina (4), Louisiana (3), Virginia (1)). This is a pretty typical distribution, with most cases being found in a small number of states, and even in certain regions within those states. West Nile virus cases are, not surprisingly, low so far. This disease does not tend to occur until late summer and fall. As of July 28, only six cases have been reported (Washington (2), one each in West Virginia, Texas, Montana and Missouri). The important question is what will happen with West Nile virus for the rest of the year? Stay tuned.
Image: Scanning electron micrograph of a mosquito (source: www.cbc.ca)
