Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) is caused by the arbovirus Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (arthropod-borne virus). VEEV, along with EEEV and WEEV, are alphaviruses in the family Togaviridae.

In the United States, epizootic VEE is a foreign animal disease that was last reported in Texas in 1971. The geographic distribution of the disease is largely restricted to northern South America, Central America, and southern Mexico. However, there is continuing risk of introduction of VEE into the US. Many mosquito species located throughout the US can serve as possible vectors for VEEV, including Aedes spp., Anopheles spp., and Culex spp.

Note: VEE is a reportable disease (all alphaviruses [EEE, WEE] are reportable); consult your state and federal Animal Health Officials when disease is suspected.

Resource Type

  • Guideline

Topic

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccinations

Publish Date

January 1, 2024