Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Debbie Purdy was devastated last month when one of her two elderly horses suddenly became very ill. She says her mare, Paige, who was born 28 years ago on her farm in Aubrey, died soon after from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare but serious and often fatal mosquito-borne illness.

To date, there have been two disease alerts issued by the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) for confirmed EEE cases in the Haut-Saint-Laurent that have been registered on the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System. In speaking with different horse owners and people within the community, there are reports of upwards of 15 animals across the Valley that have now perished from EEE.

“It is a pretty small radius,” says Purdy of the local cases; while pointing out she knows at least three others personally who have lost their animals to the disease. She posted a candid message on social media after Paige died, to help raise awareness locally about the virus and its deadly consequences.

Between 75 and 95 per cent of infected horses will die within two or three days after the onset of symptoms. Clinical signs of EEE, which is sometimes referred to as sleeping sickness, come on abruptly, and can include lethargy or drowsiness, behavior changes, impaired vision, muscle twitches, or paralysis.

“It is devastatingly fast,” Purdy confirms.

The Quebec government warns that officials are seeing elevated viral activity across the province, and several cases of EEE have been detected in horses in the Lanaudière, Montérégie, and Laurentides regions. Ontario, Vermont and New York State are also reporting an increased number of cases.

The Vermont Department of health reports that over 70 groups of mosquitos have tested positive for EEE across more than 15 towns. Last year, only 14 groups across three towns tested positive, which suggests a significant increase in the circulation of infected mosquitos.

Across the border in Vermont, the towns of Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester, and Swanton are considered high-risk. Health officials have recommended people there avoid being outdoors after 6 p.m. to avoid mosquitos.

The virus is especially dangerous for horses, but humans can contract the disease as well from the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people show no clinical signs of illness, but some may experience flu-like symptoms. Generally, those infected fully recover within one to two weeks.

There have been no human cases confirmed to date in Quebec; however, an Ottawa resident who passed away in August tested positive for EEE. Human cases have also been identified in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, where one person has died.

There is no vaccine for humans against this illness, and the best way to protect against diseases that are spread by mosquito bites is to avoid being bitten.

There is a vaccine approved for horses, though Purdy points out that not all horse owners are aware of the potentially lifesaving inoculation, as the disease is considered so rare.

“It pulls at my heartstrings, because I felt blindsided,” she says.

According to the government, there is still time for horse owners to vaccinate their animals, though vaccination normally would take place before peak mosquito season in the spring.