West Nile Confirmed in Two Nevada Horses
- Topics: Article, West Nile Virus (WNV)
The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) has reported West Nile virus (WNV) infections in two horses, one in Churchill County and one in Clark County.
"It’s important for horse owners to protect their animals from West Nile Virus through vaccination," said NDA State Veterinarian J.J. Goicoechea, DVM. "Vaccinations, in conjunction with practices that reduce exposure to mosquitos, are very effective in protecting horses from WNV."
West Nile is transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. Clinical signs for WNV include flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed; fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculations (twitching); hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound); changes in mentation (mentality), when horses look like they are daydreaming or "just not with it"; occasional somnolence (drowsiness); propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often without control); and "spinal" signs, including asymmetrical weakness. Some horses show asymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia. Equine mortality rate can be as high as 30-40%.
Mosquito season in Nevada is expected to end with the first frost in October. However, while the current temperatures persist, Nevada horse owners should take precautions to protect their animals from disease
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