West Nile confirmed in Western Wash. horses
Cookson Beecher
Washington State Staff Writer
Two horses in Snohomish County, Wash., have been confirmed to be infected with West Nile virus. Both of them, a Hafflingler mare and a foal, were imported from Europe and placed in a holding facility in California before being brought to Washington.
Animal health officials believe that the horses, which are now recovering, became infected with the virus while in California.
They arrived in California in June and were transported to Washington in mid-July. On July 18, they received their first West Nile vaccination.
Positive test results for the disease were reported by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman.
Washington state veterinarian Leonard Eldridge said the two recent cases of the virus in horses in the state is a reminder that horse owners should vaccinate their horses.
Were already into the mosquito season, he said, but now may still be a good time to act because the vaccine requires two doses three to six weeks apart, and immunity will not be achieved until five weeks after the second vaccine.
In addition to horses, West Nile affects mules, donkeys and other equines much more often than other domestic animals. Most horses do not become ill and show no symptoms at all.
About one-third of the horses that become ill with the virus die. Symptoms include a lost of appetite, loss of coordination, confusion, head pressing, fever stiffness and muscle weakness.
Veterinarians and horse owners should report potential cases of the disease in horses and other equine animals by calling the state veterinarians office at (360) 902-1878.
The virus, which primarily infects birds, horses and people, is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Because birds migrate, they carry the virus from region to region.
No other cases of the virus, either in humans, birds or horses, have been reported this year in Washington.
Donn Moyer, spokesman for the Washington State Health Department, said 218 dead birds have been tested this year, none of which had the virus. In addition, a dozen resident horses have been tested, none of which had the virus.
Even so, Moyer warns that the disease is probably on its way to Washington. He pointed out that West Nile virus has moved West since it first showed up in the United States in 1999, and that it wasnt until last year that Oregon and Idaho reported any positives for the disease.
As of this year, West Nile virus has been reported in all states except Hawaii and Alaska. In 2004, the largest number of human cases of the disease reported to CDC occurred in the Western states.
On the horse side of the equation, the only other cases of West Nile virus reported in Washington occurred in 2002.
The first horse to test positive in 2002 was a Danish Warmblood stabled on Whidbey Island that came down with the virus in mid-October. The second was an 18-year-old Tennessee Walker stabled north of Bellingham that came down with the virus on Nov. 19.
Prevention
People can minimize the threat of the virus by controlling mosquitoes and preventing horses from being exposed to adult mosquitoes. Some protective measures include changing the water in livestock troughs, fountains, birdbaths and wading pools weekly during mosquito season.
Horse owners are also encouraged to drain or treat stagnant water, mow grass and weeds, and put up screens to protect homes and stables from mosquitoes.
Another preventive measure is to stable horses at night. Repellents and insecticides should be used only according to label directions.
The states Agriculture Department also advises people not to drain or fill in wetlands, as they provide benefits that far outweigh the small chance of contracting the virus.
More information is available at www.cdc.gov/westnile, agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/Diseases/WestNileVirus/default.htm, or www.doh.wa.gov/WNV.
Cookson Beecher is based in Sedro-Woolley, Wash. Her e-mail address is cbeecher@capitalpress.com.
Great now I am going to freak every time I get bit....well more than I already do.
Cookson Beecher
Washington State Staff Writer
Two horses in Snohomish County, Wash., have been confirmed to be infected with West Nile virus. Both of them, a Hafflingler mare and a foal, were imported from Europe and placed in a holding facility in California before being brought to Washington.
Animal health officials believe that the horses, which are now recovering, became infected with the virus while in California.
They arrived in California in June and were transported to Washington in mid-July. On July 18, they received their first West Nile vaccination.
Positive test results for the disease were reported by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman.
Washington state veterinarian Leonard Eldridge said the two recent cases of the virus in horses in the state is a reminder that horse owners should vaccinate their horses.
Were already into the mosquito season, he said, but now may still be a good time to act because the vaccine requires two doses three to six weeks apart, and immunity will not be achieved until five weeks after the second vaccine.
In addition to horses, West Nile affects mules, donkeys and other equines much more often than other domestic animals. Most horses do not become ill and show no symptoms at all.
About one-third of the horses that become ill with the virus die. Symptoms include a lost of appetite, loss of coordination, confusion, head pressing, fever stiffness and muscle weakness.
Veterinarians and horse owners should report potential cases of the disease in horses and other equine animals by calling the state veterinarians office at (360) 902-1878.
The virus, which primarily infects birds, horses and people, is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Because birds migrate, they carry the virus from region to region.
No other cases of the virus, either in humans, birds or horses, have been reported this year in Washington.
Donn Moyer, spokesman for the Washington State Health Department, said 218 dead birds have been tested this year, none of which had the virus. In addition, a dozen resident horses have been tested, none of which had the virus.
Even so, Moyer warns that the disease is probably on its way to Washington. He pointed out that West Nile virus has moved West since it first showed up in the United States in 1999, and that it wasnt until last year that Oregon and Idaho reported any positives for the disease.
As of this year, West Nile virus has been reported in all states except Hawaii and Alaska. In 2004, the largest number of human cases of the disease reported to CDC occurred in the Western states.
On the horse side of the equation, the only other cases of West Nile virus reported in Washington occurred in 2002.
The first horse to test positive in 2002 was a Danish Warmblood stabled on Whidbey Island that came down with the virus in mid-October. The second was an 18-year-old Tennessee Walker stabled north of Bellingham that came down with the virus on Nov. 19.
Prevention
People can minimize the threat of the virus by controlling mosquitoes and preventing horses from being exposed to adult mosquitoes. Some protective measures include changing the water in livestock troughs, fountains, birdbaths and wading pools weekly during mosquito season.
Horse owners are also encouraged to drain or treat stagnant water, mow grass and weeds, and put up screens to protect homes and stables from mosquitoes.
Another preventive measure is to stable horses at night. Repellents and insecticides should be used only according to label directions.
The states Agriculture Department also advises people not to drain or fill in wetlands, as they provide benefits that far outweigh the small chance of contracting the virus.
More information is available at www.cdc.gov/westnile, agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/Diseases/WestNileVirus/default.htm, or www.doh.wa.gov/WNV.
Cookson Beecher is based in Sedro-Woolley, Wash. Her e-mail address is cbeecher@capitalpress.com.
Great now I am going to freak every time I get bit....well more than I already do.
Geesh the internet generation these days.....lol
