Natural Outbreak of Eastern and Western Encephalitis in Pen-Raised Chukars in Florida

Abstract

The flocks affected with EE and WE werewidely scattered over the state from the southernmost point at Dade City to a northern point at Jacksonville. Five different flocks of pen-raised young chukars experienced high mortality (30-85%) from eastern encephalitis or western encephalitis infections; the eastern type was isolated from 4 groups, and the western type from 1. Two readily visible gross lesions were noted: focal longitudinal scarring in the myocardium; enlargement and mottling of the spleen. Experimental inoculation of 2 6-week-old chukars with WE virus produced clinical signs or death.