The following responses to questions are from Rob Keene, DVM, a field technical consulting equine veterinarian with Fort Dodge Animal Health (FDAH), manufacturers of the West Nile virus vaccine.

 The West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine is probably one of the best-known vaccines on the market right now. How did you get it ready so quickly after WNV was found in the United States?

Many people worked tirelessly. They spent weekends and long hours to make the speedy approval of the WNV vaccine a reality. FDAH scientists also benefited from excellent basic research and diagnostic work conducted by many scientists at government laboratories, especially in USDA and CDC (Centers for Disease Control). State and federal officials responsible for review and approval of the resulting data submissions recognized the urgency of the situation and reviewed this vaccine as a high priority. Accordingly, U.S. horse owners have many people to thank for the rapid availability of this product. We are very proud of the part Fort Dodge Animal Health was able to play in this