equine encephalitis

American  

[ee-kwahyn en-sef-uh-lahy-tis, ek-wahyn] / ˈi kwaɪn ɛnˌsɛf əˈlaɪ tɪs, ˈɛk waɪn /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of equine encephalitis

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.

From BBC

Though infections of Eastern equine encephalitis virus in people are rare -- with only a few cases reported worldwide each year -- about one-third of those with the infection die, and many survivors suffer lasting neurological problems.

From 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.

From Salon

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

From Scientific American

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

From Washington Times