equine encephalitis

[ee-kwahyn en-sef-uh-lahy-tis, ek-wahyn]

noun

Pathology, Veterinary Pathology.

1. a group of viral diseases that afflict horses, mules, and, in rare cases, humans and other animals, marked by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Word History and Origins

Origin of equine encephalitis¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Ten communities in Massachusetts are now designated at high or critical risk for eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, that spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, officials say.

Read more on BBC

Alphaviruses include Eastern equine encephalitis virus and several other viruses that cause brain or joint disease.

Read more on Science Daily

This summer, Alabama reported two cases of another potentially fatal, rare mosquito-borne illness called eastern equine encephalitis, and the U.S. reported its first cases of locally transmitted malaria in 20 years.

Read more on Salon

Louisiana has reported one case of eastern equine encephalitis this year.

Read more on Scientific American

Horses can be vaccinated for the disease, known as eastern equine encephalitis, but there is no equivalent for humans.

Read more on Washington Times