An unvaccinated St. Croix County mare is the first in Wisconsin to contract West Nile virus (WNV) in that state this year, prompting officials to reminder to horse owners to vaccinate their animals against the virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). The affected 4 ½-year-old Quarter Horse is recovering after being treated by a veterinarian.

"The cooler, wetter spring delayed a mosquito outbreak in parts of the state, but now that things are heating up it creates the perfect breeding environment for mosquitoes,” said state veterinarian Paul McGraw, DVM of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. “Cases of EEE have now emerged in southern states and now WNV has been detected in a horse in Wisconsin."

West Nile and EEE have stricken hundreds of horses in Wisconsin since 2001.

Horses require two doses of the vaccination initially, and then boosters at least annually. "We recommend working with your veterinarian, so you get the best plan for your horse and advice about additional boosters later in the season," McGraw said