The head of the Zoonosis Program of the Salta Ministry of Health, Nicolás Ruiz, stated that in Salta there are no vaccines to prevent equine encephalomyelitis, a disease that was detected in horses in the provinces of Corrientes and Santa Fe on November 25, when officially The first cases were confirmed.
As of yesterday afternoon, a total of 324 positive outbreaks had been confirmed, accounting for 12 by laboratory diagnosis and 312 by clinical diagnosis (due to symptoms and epidemiological link). Likewise, the provinces where the outbreaks were recorded, to date, are Buenos Aires, Corrientes, Córdoba, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, the Chaco and Formosa. These last two provinces border with Salta.
The director of Senasa’s Noa Norte Regional Center, Claudia Martínez, stated that so far no reports of cases have been registered in Salta or Jujuy. Regarding numbers, it was specified that in Salta there are 98,585 registered horses, and in Jujuy, 18,752.
Martínez explained that Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), which is the confirmed strain, “is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes to humans and horses.” However, the virus is maintained in nature by birds and wild animals.
The official also indicated that since 1988 to date, no cases have been recorded and that, in 2016 – Mauricio Macri’s government – after a study carried out by a technical team, the mandatory nature of the vaccine was lifted. This meant leaving producers free to decide whether or not to continue with the policy of vaccinating their livestock.
In dialogue with Radio Nacional, Nicolás Ruiz understood that the lack of demand lowered the production of immunization and, when the first outbreak was recorded, the vaccines that were available at least in Salta ran out.
“Now there are meetings with chambers of producers, veterinarians and laboratories so that they can give the vaccine in the shortest possible time,” said Martínez, stating that the vaccines are distributed first in the highest risk areas. At this point, he maintained that the danger increased on the Coast due to the floods that, in turn, allow the increase of birds and mosquitoes.
Regarding human immunization to prevent WEE, Epidemiology specialists indicated that there is no vaccine to prevent infection.
For his part, Martínez explained that the fatality rate of the disease in horses when it comes to WEE is between 20 and 30 percent, while other animals manage to recover, and even a percentage of those that are infected due to the virus they do not present symptoms.
For now, the provision is in force that in case of participation in events, equine livestock must be vaccinated 15 days before.
From February 1st, the vaccine will be mandatory, but only for that group of horses that participate in these events and that must be transferred.
Symptoms and preventive measures
The virus is transmitted by the “culex pipiens” mosquito, which is the common mosquito. Martínez stated that Aedes aegypti, which transmits dengue, can also infect horses and humans.
Once infected, horses present a neurological condition with different signs such as wandering, hyperexcitation, depression, hyperthermia and falling on their side.
In this situation, mosquito control is essential, which is why it is necessary to apply repellents to horses and humans.
Senasa informed of the call to the different actors related to equine production and health to strengthen and deepen the periodic clinical review of these animals, take extreme biosafety measures, avoiding the movement of animals and people between stables and establishments and apply hygiene and disinfection measures with special attention to the management of arthropods as possible vectors of the disease.
If there are changes in behavior or unusual behavior in horses, notify Senasa by going to the nearest office or sending a WhatsApp message to 11 5700 5704; or through the “Senasa Notifications” App for mobile devices, available in the Play Store; or by writing an email to: [email protected] or through the Notify Senasa section of the Agency’s website.
2023-12-05 05:41:09
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