Eastern equin entis e Western equin entis we and Venezuelan ecoin entis V are caused by Alpha viruses birds and rodents are the primary reservoirs but unvaccinated horses are particularly susceptible and often serve as Sentinels these diseases are zootic infecting humans and are public health concern Eastern equin entis is the most common of the three and is found widely in several regions of the United States especially in areas of high mosquito populations Western equin entis occurs infrequently but circulates in Wildlife Venezuelan equin entis is a foreign animal disease and therefore reportable at both the federal and state level it occurs in Cycles in Central and South America and there have been in cussions into the United States decades ago clinical signs infection causes non-specific clinical signs and often affects the central nervous system these signs include fever severe depression sleeping sickness Behavior changes impaired Vision circling or head pressing muscle twitches inability to swallow paralysis and convulsions death transmission of e we ve are transmitted only by the bite of infected mosquitoes direct transmission between horses and and people does not occur however should an incursion of V occur eoin infections do present some risk to people treatment consists of supportive care survival rates for horses infected with e or ve is low however we survival can be as high as 70 to 80% prevention e we V vaccination is very effective at preventing clinical disease vaccination needs to be rep needed at minimum on an annual basis consult with your veterinarian regarding boosters if you live or are traveling to an area with yearr round mosquito populations or an area that has previously reported cases of e we as ve has not occurred in the US for over 40 years vaccination is not recommended unless the animal will be traveling to endemic areas reduce your horses exposure to mosquitoes eliminate any standing water mosquito habitat and place fans inside where the horses rest limit outdoor activities at dawn and Dusk and use equin approved mosquito repellent