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Washington State Department of Agriculture notes non-vaccinated mare in Grandview has the disease.

July 26, 2016

2 Min Read

The state of Washington has reported its first case of West Nile Virus with news from the Washington State Department of Agriculture that a two-year-old Andalusian mixed breed mare in Grandview has contracted the disease. The department reports that the horse had not been vaccinated for the disease and is showing neurologic signs with stumbling and difficulties eating.

The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman, reported the positive test results to WSDA's State Veterinarian's Office Friday. The state had 36 confirmed cases of horses with the disease in 2015, leading the nation with nearly 17% of confirmed equine cases. And already this year mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus have been trapped in Adams, Benton, Grant, Franklin and Yakima counties.

Says Thomas Gilliom, WSDA field veterinarian: "It's never too late to vaccinate your horse for West Nile virus. We've had cooler days but when hot summer days return the risks of mosquito bites will increase."

The disease is spread y mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. The disease sickens people, horses, birds and other animals, but it does not spread directly from horses to people, or other animals.

The disease is fatal to horses in about a third of the cases in which clinical signs are apparent, although most horses do not become ill and show no symptoms. Horses that do become ill can appear to be displaying loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, fever, stiffness, and muscle weakness, particularly in their hindquarters.

Spring is the best time to vaccinate horses against West Nile virus or obtain an annual booster shot. However, horses may still benefit from first-time vaccinations or an annual booster shot.

Besides vaccination, horse owners can take action to limit horse exposure to mosquitoes. For example, reduce or eliminate sources of stagnant or standing water, stable horses during peak mosquito periods (at dawn and dusk), use equine-approved mosquito repellants, place fans inside barns or stalls to maintain air movement, and avoid using incandescent bulbs inside stables at night.

Veterinarians who learn of potential West Nile virus cases in horses or other animals should contact the State Veterinarian’s Office at (360) 902-1878.

Visit the websites of the state Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, or USDA for more information. Last year, the USDA reported 225 equine cases involving West Nile virus nationwide.

Source: WSDA

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