Time to Vaccinate Horses Against West Nile Virus

Time to Vaccinate Horses Against West Nile Virus

As we now officially begin the summer season, it is important to remember horse owners to vaccinate your horses for the West Nile Virus before the mosquito season really gets started.

Infected wild birds are the source of West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes bite infected birds and then can potentially transmit the infection to horses and humans. The disease does not transmit from horse to horse or human to human. A bite by an infected mosquito is the only known route of transmission.

Dr. Brad LeaMaster, Oregon State Veterinarian, advises horses owners to protect their horses.

LeaMaster: “It is mosquito season coming up and West Nile is just one of those things that responsible horse owners should be thinking about. Have your veterinarian out -- that is the best person to visit with owners. They know the horse, they know the owners and they know the risk and they can design the perfect health program for that horse owner.”

Although only a low percentage of mosquitoes carry the virus and a low percentage of horses bitten by infected mosquitoes become ill, it is a risk horse owners need to consider. Dr. LeaMaster cautions

LeaMaster: “The highest risk of those horses coming down with the disease are those horses that do not receive the vaccination.”

The disease causes brain inflammation and about one-third of affected horses die.
 

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