Definition

Noun 1. A viral disease causing inflammation of the brain: Equine encephalitis is a severe neurological disease caused by a virus. The virus is transmitted to horses and humans primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The veterinarian diagnosed the sick horse with equine encephalitis.
  • Public health officials issued a warning about the risk of equine encephalitis after finding the virus in local mosquitoes.
  • Symptoms of equine encephalitis can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, and disorientation.

Advanced Usage

• Specific Virus Types: The term "equine encephalitis" often refers to a group of related viruses. In advanced medical or scientific contexts, it is typically specified as:
  • Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE): Often considered the most severe form.
  • Western equine encephalitis (WEE)
  • Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE)
• "Equine encephalitis virus": This phrase specifies the causative agent itself, rather than the disease.
  • Researchers are studying the equine encephalitis virus to develop a better vaccine.

Variants and Related Words

• Encephalitis (n): The general medical term for inflammation of the brain, which can have many causes (viral, bacterial, autoimmune).
• Equine (adj): Of, relating to, or resembling a horse or other member of the horse family.
• Arbovirus (n): A type of virus transmitted by arthropods like mosquitoes and ticks; equine encephalitis viruses are arboviruses.

Synonyms

• Equine encephalomyelitis (n): A technical synonym often used interchangeably, where "-myelitis" indicates inflammation of the spinal cord as well.
• Sleeping sickness (in horses): An informal, non-technical term sometimes used, though it is easily confused with the parasitic disease "African sleeping sickness" in humans.

Related Phrases

• Outbreak of equine encephalitis: Used to describe a sudden increase in cases in a specific area.
  • The state reported an outbreak of equine encephalitis in the coastal region.
• Equine encephalitis vaccine: Refers to the immunization used to protect horses from the disease.
  • All horses in the area should receive the equine encephalitis vaccine annually.

Noun

1. encephalitis caused by a virus that is transmitted by a mosquito from an infected horse