Louisiana Horse Owners Warned about EEE, WNV Threats
Edited Press Release
July 23, 2012
Eight West Nile virus and 10 Eastern equine encephalitis cases have been confirmed in Louisiana this year.
Eight West Nile virus and 10 Eastern equine encephalitis cases have been confirmed in Louisiana this year.
Oklahoma’s last confirmed WNV case came in Sept. 2009 when a horse from Cherokee County tested positive.
Two unvaccinated horses were euthanized this month after contracting the mosquito-borne disease.
Emerging and re-emerging diseases can devastate equine populations and cost the industry millions of dollars.
Two horses–located in Mobile and Washington Counties–have tested positive for EEE in Alabama since June.
A 10-year-old horse from Horry County and a 4-month-old horse from Marion County recently tested positive.
Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she’s sponsoring two no-cost EEE vaccine clinics for horses this week.
The mare received the first in a series of two planned EEE vaccinations from a private veterinarian in May.
Agricultural officials in Massachusetts advise horse owners to vaccinate against mosquito-borne diseases.
The first case of the season of WNV was reported last week in a horse in Northampton County, Pa.
In 2011, 15 horses in California were confirmed positive for WNV; four of those 15 were euthanized.
West Nile Virus (WNV) causes a potentially fatal encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) in a variety of species such as birds, horses, and humans.
Unvaccinated horses suffer severely when infected with either WNV or EEE, both transmitted by mosquitoes.
West Nile is spread by mosquitoes, which thrive in the warm, wet conditions some have experienced recently.
It’s important that horse owners consult their vets about WNV prevention options before mosquito season.
To help owners stay on top of EPM and WNV, Merck Animal Health has developed two new comprehensive websites.
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with
