Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis

Excerpt

Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEEV) is the causative viral pathogen of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE). Outbreaks frequently involve both equines – including horses, donkeys, mules, zebras – and humans. Outbreaks may range over a large geographic area and may last for several months to years. Sporadic epidemic outbreaks occur most commonly in Central and South America. VEEV exists as both a natural pathogen and a laboratory-developed biologic weapon. Outbreaks have been reported in several South and Central American countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Mexico, and the United States. Previous outbreaks of epizootic strains have affected up to 75,000 people during a single epidemic.