West Nile Virus

Thank you to Dr. Mike Parker who gave an important lecture on West Nile Virus at the April meeting.

The virus originated in Africa and was first documented in 1999. Since then it has spread like wildfire across the globe and is expected to be here in California by October. The disease is carried by the black bird-type birds (black birds, crows, ravens, etc.) and is transmitted by mosquitoes. A horse is considered a "dead end host" because the disease is not passed on any further once it infects the horse (meaning: neither you nor other horses can get West Nile from an infected horse).

West Nile is a neurological disease and has a 30-40% fatality rate, even with treatment. Symptoms include fever, head pressing, dizziness, and other neurological signs. If your horse has the disease, it will be obvious very quickly. Treatment is very expense and includes IV fluids and a lot of anti-inflammatory drugs.

So, how can we fight this deadly disease? GET YOUR HORSES VACCINATED!!!! NOW! The vaccine is over 95% effective. First you need to get the initial vaccination, then a booster in six weeks. It takes about four weeks after the first booster to get immunity for the disease, so don't wait until it's too late! If you have already been vaccinated this year, Dr. Parker recommends having another booster in July/August so it is closer to the mosquito season. Thereafter you'll need to get another booster each year.

Another way to help fight the disease is to reduce the mosquito population. Standing water is the mosquito breeding ground. Check and dump out any containers that might be holding water (old tires, buckets, drums, cans). Fill in or drain any puddles or ruts. Keep drains clean. Keep the lid on the trash can to keep the rain out. Repair outdoor leaky faucets and pipes. Fill in any stumps and tree holes with sand or concrete. If your local water source is not treated with chloramines, you can keep goldfish in your water troughs to keep down the algae and mosquito larva. If your water is treated, you can add a splash of mineral oil to the trough. It forms a film over the surface of the water to will kill any mosquito larva. It will not harm the horses, but DO NOT add it to a trough with fish.