Time to vaccinate horses for West Nile virus
Washington Ag Today April 8, 2010 Every year Washington’s state veterinarian encourages horse owners to vaccinate or get booster shots for West Nile virus for their animals. Yet, every year dozens of unvaccinated Washington horses die of the disease carried by mosquitoes. Washington State Department of Agriculture spokesman Mike Louisell says West Nile virus has been quite active in the state the past two years. Louisell: “In fact Washington led the United States in cases of confirmed horse cases of West Nile Virus. Last year we had 72 horses test positive for the disease. Now, that is up from 41 confirmed cases in 2008.” All the cases last year were in eastern Washington the highest numbers in Benton, Yakima and Kittitas counties. State Veterinarian Dr. Leonard Eldridge says nearly half of the 72 horses infected last year either died from West Nile virus or had to be euthanized. Eldridge says a spring does of vaccine, even in previously vaccinated horses, is necessary to maintain protective immunity in most horses. Fifth District Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, kicked off her campaign for re-election yesterday at an event in Spokane. A similar event is scheduled for Walla Walla tomorrow. The Republican Representative said she is determined to return to Washington and work to restore fiscal policies Eastern Washington families can believe in.” I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.
Horse owners should consult with their veterinarian for vaccination
recommendations and WNV control measures.
