State Agriculture Department advises, take necessary precautions against West Nile With the state now reporting its first three confirmed cases of West Nile Virus – one in a bird in St. Charles County, another in a horse in McDonald County and a third in a crow in the Kansas City area – the Missouri Department of Agriculture is once again reminding horse owners to vaccinate their animals against the disease.
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“This is a good time for horse owners to contact their private veterinarians about vaccinating their animals to protect against West Nile Virus,” said Dr. Taylor Woods, state veterinarian and director of the state’s Division of Animal Health. “Mosquitoes can be a problem during the hot, summer months, particularly for horses, so it’s important we take the necessary steps to protect our animals and control mosquito populations around livestock.”
West Nile is a virus that causes brain inflammation. Mosquitoes contract the virus by feeding on infected birds then spread the disease by biting horses, birds, humans and other host animals.
“Horses and humans seem to be more affected by the virus than other animals,” Dr. Woods said.
“However, both horses and humans are considered incidental hosts, meaning they can’t pass the disease to other animals or people.”
Horses infected with the virus display a variety of symptoms, including listlessness, stumbling, weakness in limbs and partial paralysis. Infected horses can be treated, and most make full recoveries.
“Detecting the virus in horses can be difficult,” Dr. Woods said. “Some horses can be bitten by an infected mosquito and never contract the disease, while others test positive for the disease but show no symptoms. In horses, there is no age, sex or breed more likely to become infected.”
Prevention is key to controlling the spread of West Nile Virus, Dr. Woods said. He cited the following tips for controlling mosquito populations:
* Remove potential sources of stagnant water, such as containers and tires and modify low-lying areas where mosquitoes might breed.
* Spray horse stables with mosquito insecticide.
* Use fans in horse stables to circulate the air and reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes feeding on horses.
* Keep horses inside at night.
* Clean water troughs as often as possible or at least monthly.
The West Nile Virus has been migrating westward over the past four years, and was originally discovered in St. Louis County in the fall of 2001. The state has been monitoring the virus ever since.
For more information, contact Dr. Woods at 573-751-3377 or Dr. Howard Pue, veterinarian with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, at 573-751-6113.