Tag Archives: West Nile Virus

Horse Owners Urged to Vaccinate Horses against Mosquito-Borne Diseases

RALEIGH – It’s mosquito season and it’s time for equine owners across North Carolina to talk to their veterinarians about protecting their animals from mosquito-borne diseases.

West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis are endemic across North Carolina and can cause illness or death, but they can be prevented with a sequence of two vaccines.

In 2012, there were 20 confirmed cases of EEE and three cases of West Nile Virus, but state officials say they expect up to four unreported cases for each one confirmed, making the possible impact much larger.

“North Carolina has an extended mosquito breeding period, so every horse owner should talk to their veterinarian about how to protect their animal year-round,” State Veterinarian David Marshall said. “In addition to getting animals vaccinated, everyone needs to be extra vigilant now to reduce the breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Take the time now to rid your yard and pasture of any standing water to reduce the risk.”

The EEE and WNV vaccinations initially require two shots, three to four weeks apart, for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. Neither vaccination fully protects the animal until several weeks after the second shot, so it is best to vaccinate as early in the mosquito season as possible.

Symptoms of EEE include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death.

Symptoms of WNV in horses can include loss of appetite and depression, fever, weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, convulsions, impaired vision or hyperexcitability.

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the virus to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.

CONTACT:
Dr. Tom Ray, director of livestock health programs
NCDA&CS Veterinary Division
919-733-7601

Dr. Joan Norton Discusses West Nile Virus on Sound Medicine on National Public Radio Sunday

Wellington, FL – October 19, 2012 − Joan Norton VMD, DACVIM, of Norton Veterinary Consulting and Education Resources, will discuss West Nile Virus on Sound Medicine, a National Public Radio (NPR) program, on Sunday, Oct. 21 on NPR affiliates around the country.

The virus affects horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, as well as humans and birds. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, as of October 2, 2012, there were 411 reported cases of equine West Nile Virus in the U.S., and in 2011, 30 states reported outbreaks.

What can you do to protect your horse? Listen in to the program to find out what you need to know about the disease − the symptoms, the treatment and the steps you can take to prevent your horse from being infected.

Continue reading Dr. Joan Norton Discusses West Nile Virus on Sound Medicine on National Public Radio Sunday

Horse Owners Urged to Vaccinate Horses Early

Heavy mosquito season expected due to warm winter

RALEIGH – Equine owners across North Carolina are urged to discuss their annual vaccination protocol with their veterinarians to protect their animals from mosquito-borne diseases.

West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis are endemic in the state and can cause illness or death, but can be prevented with a sequence of two vaccines.

More mosquitoes are expected this year because of the warmer-than-normal winter. Officials don’t know for sure if that will mean an uptick in mosquito-borne viruses or if disease transmission will start earlier in the season. However, State Veterinarian David Marshall says that common sense would dictate being extra vigilant since the diseases are so easily preventable.

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Kentucky’s First 2011 Equine West Nile Case Confirmed

September 2, 2011 – Results of diagnostic testing reported earlier today by the University of Kentucky’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirms a diagnosis of West Nile virus affecting a horse in Fleming County Kentucky. The diagnosis is based on detection of WNv IgM antibodies in blood serum and compatible symptoms.

1 Equine Confirmed Today As Affected With West Nile Virus In FLEMING COUNTY

KDA Reference: 001 is a 6YR FE STDBRED – Alive

Onset Date: 08/26/11 Presented with rear limb ataxia, progressed to front limbs, normal appetite and mentation

On 9/2 – the mare is reported by the attending veterinarian to be unimproved Vaccination: No WNV Vaccination History

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture Web Page has been updated to reflect this first equine case of West Nile virus in 2011.

E. S. Rusty Ford
Equine Programs Manager
Office of State Veterinarian
502/564-3956
Rusty1.ford@ky.gov

Vaccinations Urged for Horses as EEE Cases Rise

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is urging horse owners to get their animals vaccinated following an upsurge in the number of Eastern Equine Encephalitis cases.  Sentinel chickens that serve as an early warning of the existence of the disease are also being diagnosed with EEE in areas of the state that are not usually affected.

So far this year there have been 16 confirmed cases of EEE in horses.  While that is not an unusually high number, seven of the cases were reported on Wednesday, June 23, from counties scattered throughout the state.

“Most of the cases have been in the central and north central part of the state which is normal,” Bronson said.  “But we are also seeing increased EEE and West Nile Virus activity in sentinel chickens in the southern part of the state, including Martin County which has not had EEE detected in 30 years.  In addition, there has been a confirmed case of EEE in a horse in both Collier and Okeechobee counties.  So I want to remind horse owners of the importance of getting their animals vaccinated.”

EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is transmitted to horses by infected mosquitoes.  Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death.  The disease is fatal in horses in 90 percent of the cases.

Bronson says the majority of cases of EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases can be prevented through proper vaccinations.  Horse owners are urged to check with their veterinarian to make sure their animals have received current vaccinations and booster shots against EEE and West Nile Virus, and that these shots are kept up to date.

Liz Compton
comptol@doacs.state.fl.us
(850) 488-3022

Horse Owners Urged to Vaccinate

Bronson Urges Horse Owners to Vaccinate Animals for Mosquito-Borne Diseases; Recommends That Humans Take Steps to Protect Themselves

TALLAHASSEE — With the arrival of spring and warmer weather, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today reminded horse owners to get their animals vaccinated for mosquito borne diseases.

The two principal equine diseases associated with mosquitoes are Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), and the majority of cases of each can be prevented with proper vaccinations, according to animal health officials.

“The key is to make sure that a horse has been vaccinated against these mosquito-borne diseases and to check with your veterinarian to determine whether an animal’s booster shots are up to date,” Bronson said.

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