The first known equine case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Louisiana has been confirmed in a horse in Vermilion Parish. Tests on the horse were conducted and confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, and the positive test was announced Sept. 4.

“With this confirmed case in our equine population, it is imperative that horse owners have their animals vaccinated as soon as possible,” Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Bob Odom urged. “A vaccine is now available to veterinarians on a first come, first served basis and we have received word that additional amounts of vaccine will ready later this month.”

Odom said his office is working to contact veterinarians, health officials and horse owner groups around the state to let them know a horse has tested positive for WNV.

“We want to be sure that all lines of communication are kept open,” Odom explained, noting that the groups have a history of working together on disease outbreaks. “The only way we can possibly prevent this disease from becoming an epidemic like it has been in other states, is to keep each other informed