Equine encephalomyelitis: what the symptoms are and how

Equine encephalomyelitis is a viral disease caused by a virus of the genus Alphavirus, which is transmitted between wild birds and rodents, by the bite of a mosquito of the genus Culex, Aedes, Anopheles or Culiseta; horses and humans are accidental hosts, in some cases they may be infected with the virus.

Equine encephalitis is a zoonotic disease in which infection can be caused by three different types of viruses: the equine encephalitis virus in the east, the equine encephalitis virus in the west, and the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, these infections can cause symptoms such as fatigue. , muscle aches, confusion and even death.

Treatment includes hospitalization and medication to relieve symptoms.

Some people infected with the virus do not get sick; However, when symptoms appear, they can range from high fever, headache, muscle aches and lethargy; You may also have serious problems, such as stiff neck, confusion, and brain inflammation.

These symptoms usually appear 4 to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito and the disease lasts 1 to 3 weeks; However, recovery may take longer.

Equine encephalomyelitis is a viral disease caused by a virus of the genus Alphavirus, which is transmitted between wild birds and rodents by the bite of a mosquito of the genus Culex, Aedes, Anopheles or Culiseta; that carries the virus in its saliva.

The virus could reach skeletal musculature and Langerhans cells, as they will all spread to local lymph nodes and could invade the brain.

Diagnosis of equine encephalomyelitis is done by: MRI; computer-assisted tomography; Lumbar puncture and confirmed oral analysis; blood, oral and/or blood tests; electroencephalogram and brain biopsy.

Even if there is no specific treatment for equine encephalomyelitis, your doctor may order medications to relieve symptoms, such as anticonvulsants, pain relievers, sedatives, and corticosteroids to treat brain inflammation. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary.

There is no vacancy for humans, but for horses. In addition, measures should be taken to prevent mosquito bites to prevent the spread of disease. Learn strategies to prevent mosquito bites.

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