A Kent County horse has tested positive for West Nile Virus according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Mosquito - Carrier of deadly horse diseases
The horse, which is recovering well, is Delaware’s first confirmed equine case of West Nile Virus since 2003, according to Delaware State Veterinarian Dr. Heather Hirst.
© 2013 by Karim
The horse, which is recovering well, is Delaware’s first confirmed equine case of West Nile Virus since 2003, according to Delaware State Veterinarian Dr. Heather Hirst.
“Prevention is key, and effective vaccines are available to help protect horses against these types of diseases,” said Hirst, who heads the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section. In addition to this case of West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, was recently detected in a sentinel chicken flock in Sussex County.
“Vaccination is a simple and cost-effective way of preventing these diseases, far cheaper than the cost of supportive care, as there is no treatment,” Hirst said. “Horse owners should take full precautions to keep their horses safe, and be on the alert for signs of infection.”
Unvaccinated horses are at greatest risk of developing clinical signs from both West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), which are spread by mosquitoes and can be fatal. Both horses and humans can contract WNV and EEE if bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, but it is important to note that the viruses are not transmitted between horses or from horses to people. The viruses normally exist in a cycle between mosquitoes and birds, but occasionally EEE can be transmitted from mosquitoes to mammals.
Hirst said horse owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if they suspect their horse may be showing signs of WNV or EEE. Symptoms of EEE in horses include fever (102.5-104.5°F), loss of appetite, head pressing, depression or personality change, wobbling or staggering, weakness, blindness, convulsions, muscle tremors in the head and neck, and hind-limb weakness. These signs are also consistent with WNV, although a fever may or may not be present with WNV.
Delaware’s last confirmed equine case of EEE was in 2005, and its last confirmed equine case of WNV was in 2003.
Owners should consult with their veterinarians about best WNV and EEE vaccination programs, Hirst said.
To reduce mosquito breeding, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control advises people to drain or remove items that collect water, such as discarded buckets or containers, uncovered trash cans, stagnant birdbaths, unprotected rain barrels or cisterns, old tires, upright wheelbarrows, flowerpot liners, depressions in tarps covering boats, clogged rain gutters, downspout extenders, and unused swimming pools.