Control of VEE Epizootic-Epidemic by Vaccine Developed at USAMRIID
Abstract
Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) is a zoonotic arbovirus disease affecting both Equidae and man. Infection in equine animals may be subclinical, but more often it assumes one of the following clinical forms: (a) mild illness consisting primarily of anorexia, fever, and depression; (b) severe illness characterized by anorexia, high fever, stupor, staggering, and blindness, followed by recovery with or without permanent sequellae; or (c) fatal disease with a similar sequence of signs, but terminating in death. Overall mortality rate in equines probably exceeds 75% of those infected. In man, VEE commonly occurs as an influenza-like illness characterized by generalized muscular pains, severe frontal headache and high fever; overt signs of encephalitis are rare, occurring primarily in children. Overall mortality in humans probably is no more than 1%. As part of the effort to control these epidemics a live attenuated virus vaccine (TC-83) developed at the U. S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) was administered to horses, burros, and mules. The TC-83 vaccine was originally developed for protection of laboratory personnel working in high-risk areas and subsequently has been administered to more than 6,000 human beings. During developmental studies, evidence suggested that the vaccine might be suitable for use in Equidae.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0750378
Entities
People
- Dan Crozier
- Richard O. Spertzel
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases