equine encephalitis

variants: or less commonly equine encephalomyelitis

Definition of equine encephalitis

: any of three virus diseases chiefly of equines and humans in various parts of North and South America that are transmitted especially by mosquitoes, are characterized in humans by flu-like symptoms which often progress to encephalitis and sometimes to coma and death, and are caused by three togaviruses (species Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and Western equine encephalitis virus of the genus Alphavirus)

a : one that occurs in the eastern U.S. and Canada

— called also eastern equine enephalitis, eastern equine encephalomyelitis, triple E

b : one that occurs in the western U.S. and Canada

— called also western equine encephalitis, western equine encephalomyelitis

c : one that occurs from northern South America to Mexico

— called also Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis

Examples of equine encephalitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis is rearing its head in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Mosquito-borne EEE virus flares up in Michigan: Symptoms, how to protect yourself," 17 Sep. 2020 The rare and potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis is spreading in Michigan, state health officials announced Thursday. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Mosquito-borne EEE spreading in Michigan, officials say. 6 more animal cases identified," 17 Sep. 2020 Eastern equine encephalitis, also called Triple E or EEE, is one of the deadliest mosquito-borne viruses in the United States. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Mosquito-borne EEE spreading in Michigan, officials say. 6 more animal cases identified," 17 Sep. 2020 Eastern equine encephalitis is one of the deadliest mosquito-borne viruses in the United States. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Mosquito-borne EEE virus flares up in Michigan: Symptoms, how to protect yourself," 17 Sep. 2020 An adult from Barry County is suspected of having the rare and dangerous mosquito-borne virus Eastern equine encephalitis, health officials announced Tuesday. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Rare mosquito-borne virus suspected in Michigan: 10 counties urged to cancel outdoor events," 15 Sep. 2020 Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious mosquito-borne viral disease in people and horses. — courant.com, "Community News For The Windham Edition," 4 Sep. 2020 In addition, mosquitoes carrying eastern equine encephalitis virus have been identified in two towns this season: Hampton and Stonington. — courant.com, "Community News For The Windham Edition," 4 Sep. 2020 Disease-laden mosquitoes carrying the eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV)—sometimes abbreviated as EEE—appear to be moving north and spreading the deadly infection into areas where it was previously not known to exist. — Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, "Climate Change Is Making Mosquito-Borne Diseases Deadlier," 12 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'equine encephalitis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

15 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Equine encephalitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equine%20encephalitis. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for equine encephalitis

equine encephalitis

noun

Medical Definition of equine encephalitis

: any of three virus diseases chiefly of equines and humans in various parts of North and South America that are transmitted especially by mosquitoes, are characterized in humans by flu-like symptoms which often progress to encephalitis and sometimes to coma and death, and are caused by three togaviruses of the genus Alphavirus (species Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Western equine encephalitis virus, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus):

a : one that occurs in the eastern U.S. and Canada

— called also eastern equine encephalitis, eastern equine encephalomyelitis

b : one that occurs in the western U.S. and Canada

— called also western equine encephalitis, western equine encephalomyelitis

c : one that occurs from northern South America to Mexico

— called also Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis