Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus

The Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (English Venezuelan Equine encephalitis, VEE ) is a fatal viral disease of horses that belongs Pferdeenzephalomyeliten all notifiable animal diseases. They can also be transferred to humans ( zoonosis ) and may rarely trigger a deadly disease.

Pathogen

The causative agent of disease is the Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus ( VEEV ) in the genus Alphavirus of the family of the Togaviridae. There are six subtypes of the virus, with only one of the subtype induces a serious disease and thus is considered as the actual excitation. The animal disease is found in South and Central America.

The main vector mosquito Culex tarsalis and act the Culex pipiens, it is also a contact infection with saliva of diseased animals is possible. As a reservoir of virus are wild birds and rodents. They are, as well as pets, in principle susceptible to the virus, but develop no or only mild symptoms.

Clinic

The incubation period is 1-7 days. The disease manifests itself relatively non-specific. The virus is less neurotropic than the other Pferdeenzephalomyelitisviren. It often causes damage to the blood vessels and can affect many organs. Clinically, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and, depending on organ involvement on other symptoms.

The mortality in horses can be up to 80 %, death usually occurs within 2-7 days.

When people generally come before only mild clinical manifestations in 1% of cases the infection can be fatal.

Combat

An effective therapy does not exist.

• Viral infection of humans
• Viral infection in horses
• Zoonosis
• Notifiable animal disease