Western equine encephalitis

Definition

A disease which is a form of arboviral encephalitis (primarily affecting horses) endemic to western and central regions of North America. The causative organism (Encephalomyelitis virus, Western Equine) may be transferred to humans via the bite of mosquitoes (Culex tarsalis and others). Clinical manifestations include headache and influenza-like symptoms followed by alterations in mentation, seizures, and come. Death occurs in a minority of cases. Survivors may recover fully or be left with residual neurologic dysfunction, including parkinsonism, postencephalitic.

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