FIRST VIRGINIA
HORSE IN 2014 TESTS POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS
Horse had not been vaccinated
for disease.
The Virginia Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) today announced 2014’s first positive
case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a horse. The horse, an eight-year-old Paint
Gelding, is from Augusta County. It had not been vaccinated for WNV.
Dr. Joe Garvin, head of VDACS’ Office of Laboratory
Services, urges horse owners to check with their veterinarians about
vaccinating their animals for WNV. “WNV is a mosquito-borne disease,” he said,
“and we generally start seeing our first cases in August and September. The
disease is preventable by vaccination, as is Eastern Equine Encephalitis, so
many veterinarians recommend vaccination at least yearly, and in mosquito-prone
areas, every six months.” He adds that mosquito season in Virginia can run through
November.
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.
Mosquitoes can transmit the virus
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. Continuous,
effective mosquito control can minimize the risk of exposure of both horses and
humans to mosquito-borne diseases.
Currently, no drugs exist to treat
WNV specifically in horses or humans. The mortality rate in equines is about 30
percent. Treatment for an infected horse consists of supportive therapy to
prevent the animal from injuring itself throughout the two to three weeks of
the disease. A veterinarian can prescribe treatment tailored to the particular
case.
Animal owners should consult their
veterinarians if an animal exhibits any neurological symptoms such as a
stumbling gait, going down, facial paralysis, drooping or disinterest in their
surroundings. Currently, there are live-animal tests for WNV in horses and
chickens, but none for other animals, although testing can be done on any dead
animal. 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. The location and phone number of each lab is available
at vdacs.virginia.gov/about/directory-ais.shtml.
The following websites provide
more information on WNV and how to protect humans and horses:
Horses:
Humans:
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/DEE/Vectorborne/factsheets/westnilevirus.htm
