West Nile Virus

A few days ago the state veterinarian reminded horse owners that West Nile virus was active in Washington state. WNV was found in mosquitos in Yakima and the Tri-Cities areas, although no cases of equine WNV had been reported at that time. Now, a two year old gelding in Yakima County has been confirmed as the first victim of West Nile virus in the state of Washington. Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Jason Kelly has this WNV update.

KELLY: This week we have further confirmation that the virus is active when a horse was confirmed by our colleagues at WSU to have died from West Nile virus. Horses can get severe symptoms from the disease that includes an inability to stand.

Is there anything that can be done for horses infected with West Nile?

KELLY: When veterinarians see a horse like that there’s very little they can do to rehabilitate the animal, and frequently they need to be euthanized.

West Nile virus hasn’t been as active in the state this year as it has been in the past, and no human cases have as yet been reported in Washington, but WNV does continue to be a problem across the country.

KELLY: Folks need to be aware that there is a risk out there so they should take steps to protect themselves and their animals from contracting the disease.

Horse owners should talk to their local veterinarian about getting horses vaccinated against West Nile virus. Also, people should remove standing water wherever possible and remember to wear long sleeves and mosquito repellant when working outside. There’s still a risk that animals and people could be exposed to the virus for the next several weeks up until the first hard frost.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.