9/16/2011
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is reminding horse owners to protect their animals from West Nile Virus (WNV) after a horse in Berryville, Va., was euthanized after contracting the disease. It was the first WNV case in a horse reported in Virginia this year. Berryville is approximately 15 miles from the Hollywood Casino and horse track in Charles Town, W.Va.
“West Nile vaccine for horses is available and should be strongly considered by every horse owner,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “Horse owners should also eliminate mosquito breeding areas around their barns and fields.”
Mosquitoes breed only in standing water, so improving drainage and removing old tires or other items that hold water is critical to keeping the mosquito population in check.
WNV 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 horse or other mammal and transmit the virus to them.
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. 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.
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. It is also recommended that if horses are vaccinated in the spring, a late summer booster should be administered for optimum protection.
Currently, no drugs exist to treat WNV specifically in horses. 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.
Contact Information
Buddy Davidson, Communications Officer
304-558-3708; 304-541-5932 (cell)
bdavidson@ag.state.wv.us