west nile virus

A horse in Virginia has tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the first case of WNV in Virginia in 2014. The horse, an eight-year-old Paint Gelding stabled in Augusta County, had not been vaccinated. WNV is a mosquito-borne disease, and the first cases are generally seen in August and September, according to Dr. Joe Garvin, head of Laboratory Services at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The mosquito season in Virginia can run through November, and many veterinarians recommend vaccination at least yearly, but as often as semi-annually in mosquito-prone areas. The protocol calls for two doses of the WNV Vaccine administered three to six weeks apart. Vaccination against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)—another mosquito-borne disease—is also recommended. WNV can be contracted by humans as well, though horse to human transmission is unlikely. The usual vector is through a mosquito that has bitten an infected bird. Prevention methods other than vaccination would be the elimination of standing water sites, use of insect repellents, and removing horses and people from mosquito-infested areas from dusk to dawn. There are no drugs with which to treat horses or humans who have contracted WNV. The mortality rate in horses is about thirty percent. A veterinarian should be consulted if a horse exhibits neurological symptoms, such as a stumbling gait, facial paralysis, going down, or drooping. Click here for more information on West Nile Virus in horses. Click here for more information on West Nile Virus in humans. Posted September 30, 2014

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced on September 11, 2013 the first diagnosed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a horse this year. The horse is from Russell County. It had been vaccinated for WNV just two weeks prior to becoming ill. The horse is being treated with supportive therapies to prevent the animal from injuring herself throughout the two to three week cycle of the disease. Often horses have to be euthanized because of the severity of their symptoms, which may include low-grade fever, ataxia (loss of full control of bodily movements), hypermetria (lifting its feet excessively high) and intermittent central nervous system depression. On September 9, VDACS announced the first horse in Virginia to test positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. In April 2013 VDACS sent out an announcement encouraging horse owners to discuss a vaccination schedule for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis with their veterinarians. Vaccines are available to drastically reduce the incidence of WNV and EEE in horses. The vaccines are effective for six to twelve months, so horses should be re-vaccinated at least annually. In areas where the disease occurs frequently, most veterinarians recommend vaccination every six months. The WNV vaccine for equines initially requires two doses administered three to six weeks apart. The vaccine takes four to six weeks from the second dose for optimal effectiveness. Horse owners should consult with their veterinarians to choose a re-vaccination schedule to protect their horses effectively. Prevention methods besides vaccination include destroying standing water breeding sites for mosquitoes, use of insect repellents and removing animals from mosquito-infested areas during peak biting times, usually dusk to dawn. Continuous, effective mosquito control can minimize the risk of exposure of both horses and humans to West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. The virus usually lives in wild birds of many different species. Mosquitoes transmit it from bird to bird. Occasionally a mosquito that has bitten an infected bird will then bite a human, horse or other mammal and transmit the virus to them. Transmission between horses and humans is extremely unlikely. WNV can cause a horse to go down and be unable to get up without help. Animal owners should consult their veterinarians if an animal exhibits any neurological symptoms such as a stumbling gait, facial paralysis, drooping or disinterest in their surroundings. Animal owners should consult their veterinarians or the nearest VDACS Regional Animal Health Laboratory for advice or information should an animal exhibit symptoms of WNV. Posted September 15, 2013

Mosquito-Born Viruses Kill Spring is here, and it’s time for horse owners to protect their horses from two serious and potentially fatal viruses spread by mosquitoes: Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV). Foxhunting Life reminds you to contact your vet and schedule spring vaccinations. The New York State Department of Agriculture notes that cases of EEE in horses have been on the rise since 2009. In that state, more than 90% of the cases were fatal, and survivors of the disease are generally unusable and even unsafe to be around. Although EEE cannot be transmitted between infected horses and humans, New York State has experienced fatalities in both horses and humans as a result of the disease in each of the past three years. Posted April 12, 2012

Horses have tested positive for West Nile Virus across the country, and some state officials are recommending vaccinations even now for horses that have not yet been vaccinated. California, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, and Utah have reported recent cases, and the mosquito season has several weeks to go in many of these areas. Infected horses exhibit neurological symptoms such as stumbling gait, facial paralysis, drooping or disinterested attitude. Although no drugs exist to treat the disease either in horses or humans, there are live-animal tests for WNV in horses. The virus lives in wild birds of many species, and is transmitted to mammals by the bite of a mosquito that has previously bitten an infected bird. Check with your veterinarian for his/her recommendation if your horse has not been vaccinated this year. For more information about West Nile Virus, click here. Posted September 13, 2011

So far this year, four horses have been diagnosed with West Nile virus in California: in Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Madera Counties. Each of the four horses was either unvaccinated or not vaccinated completely. State officials have renewed calls for all horse owners to vaccinate, warning that outbreaks of the virus are still a risk for horses. “Horse owners should contact their veterinarians as soon as possible to ensure vaccination status is current,” said California State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer. Symptoms of West Nile virus include stumbling, staggering weakness, muscle twitching, and inability to stand. More information may be found at www.cdfa.ca.gov.August 18, 2010