Historic flooding and above-normal precipitation can have a major impact on the mosquito population. With that in mind, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is encouraging owners to visit with their veterinarian about vaccinating their horses against mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus (WNV).

“All of this precipitation around the state will likely mean higher levels of mosquito activity,” said state veterinarian Dennis Hughes, DVM. “Higher numbers of mosquitoes don’t always correlate with higher incidence of disease, but it’s a possibility that we can prepare for.”

Hughes said typically Nebraska sees the most WNV cases in horses in August, so now is a good time for horse owners to consider vaccination. Mosquito season often runs through October.

“The vaccine to prevent West Nile Virus in horses is highly effective and should be administered at least three weeks prior to exposure to mosquitoes carrying WNV,” said Hughes. “Vaccination helps prevent horses from contracting the virus, and if they do get it, improve their chances of survival