Va. records first case of horse with EEE

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia has its first confirmed case of eastern equine encephalitis.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the 2-year-old Arabian from Suffolk was vaccinated more than a year ago but was not revaccinated this year.

The disease has a mortality rate of 80 percent. Eastern equine encephalitis typically is transmitted by mosquitoes.

The state veterinarian encouraged horse owners to work with their veterinarians to arrange a vaccination schedule.

Last year, Virginia had no reported cases of encephalitis in horses or other livestock.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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