September 30, 2008

(AP) - State agriculture officials have confirmed Virginia's first case of Eastern equine encephalitis this year.

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Monday the 15-month-old unvaccinated male pony was sick for two days with a high fever and abnormal neurologic signs. The animal was euthanized on September 19 and a necropsy a week later confirmed the illness.

So far, there have been no reported cases of West Nile virus. Last year, the state had one case each of both diseases.

Agriculture officials are encouraging horse owners to vaccinate their animals against Eastern equine encephalitis and the West Nile virus, which both are transmitted by mosquitoes.