Horse owners in the United Kingdom (U.K.) are being reminded to protect horses they are exporting to the United States from West Nile virus (WNV). However, no WNV vaccine is available in the UK.

According to an article in the online publication Equine World UK, “Horses exported from the U.K. to the United States are vulnerable to infection and are at risk in regions where the virus is known to be present–which is throughout most of mainland USA.”
 
A U.K.-based international charity, the Wildlife Information Network (WIN), has published a WNV resource to aid in recognition, diagnosis, prevention, and control of the disease. The volume is part of a series that covers emerging infectious disease and health and management of wildlife. It was produced in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center. Members of WIN can access the web-based electronic encyclopedia online at www.wildlifeinformation.org and on CD-ROM for off-line and field work; You can join WIN at this site as well.

West Nile virus is no stranger to parts of Europe–France has had WNV cases as recently as 2000. According to information on the UK’s Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs’ web site, the U.K. is free of WNV horse or human cases, but, “Recent research by the Natural Environment Research Council found antibodies against the virus present in birds in Great Britain, suggesting past or present infection with WNV.”

Existing WNV vaccines are not yet licensed for use in the United Kingdom. Iain Boardman, managing director of WIN said, “We recommend that people bringing any bloodstock over to the United States should vaccinate the horses immediately (upon U.S. arrival)