Mississippi reports uptick in EEE, WNV cases

JACKSON, MISS. — Cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV) are up sharply in Mississippi this year, with EEE cases already more than double the 2006 totals, according to State Veterinarian Jim Watson, DVM.

So far in 2007, the state has had 27 cases of EEE and 11 WNV cases, compared to 12 EEE cases and 25 WNV cases during all of 2006. It's unclear why the numbers are high, Watson says, because the state had an exceptionally dry summer, a factor that should have limited the mosquitoes that spread both viruses.

A veterinarian should be consulted as soon as horses show any signs of either disease, and widely available vaccines should be used, Watson says.