Officials at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture announced yesterday (Aug. 17) that West Nile virus (WNV) had been diagnosed in a 7-year-old pregnant mare in Gloucester County, marking the first detection of equine WNV in the state this year.


The mare, which had not been vaccinated for WNV, began showing clinical signs on Aug. 10. The horse’s veterinarian took a blood sample, which was submitted to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s animal health laboratory. It tested positive for WNV.


New Jersey’s first Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) case for 2004 was announced last week, so Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus emphasized the importance of owners vaccinating their animals against encephalitic diseases.


“The most effective preventive treatment for West Nile Virus for horses is vaccination,” said Kuperus. “Since 2001, there has been a vaccine available for West Nile Virus. We strongly recommend that horse owners have their animals vaccinated against this potentially deadly disease

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