A horse in El Dorado Countyâs Greenwood community in California has been found to be infected with West Nile virus, county health officials announced Monday. Health officials are warning of risks of continued mosquito-borne diseases for both humans and horses in spite of cooling weather.
Threat of mosquito-borne West Nile virus continues
Itâs not too late this fall for horse owners to protect their horses against life-threatening mosquito-borne diseases and vaccination remains the most effective way to protect horses against West Nile virus.
The horse is recovering and expected to survive, but health officials are reminding horse owners that the virus is continuing to circulate and horse owners need to take precautions. Horses exposed to the virus are vulnerable to serious complications and even death, but a vaccine available from many veterinarians can protect horses.
Horses can get West Nile virus when they are bitten by a mosquito that has the virus. Signs of the disease in horses include fever, stumbling, staggering, wobbling, weakness, muscle twitches or inability to stand. A veterinarian should be consulted if a horse exhibits these signs, health officials said.
Not every horse that is exposed gets West Nile virus. Of those horses that exhibit symptoms, officials said, approximately 30 percent die from the illness.
Horses cannot give the virus to people or other animals.
Vaccination for West Nile virus is recommended for all horses in North America, officials said. The vaccination generally protects the horse for one year. Although there is no West Nile virus vaccine for humans or other domestic animals, officials said llamas and alpacas may benefit from the horse vaccine.
County health officials advise horse owners to consult their veterinarian to ensure the current vaccination status of their horses and to discuss the use of safe, effective mosquito repellents. DEET-containing products are not approved for pets and may cause poisoning.
So far this year, no humans cases of West Nile virus have been reported in El Dorado County.
To help reduce the spread of West Nile virus, residents are urged to drain standing water around property and to keep water in swimming pools, ponds and troughs circulating or treated for mosquitoes.
California health officials say 28 people have died from West Nile virus so far this year according to the latest data from the state Department of Public Health. As of Friday, 517 people in 30 counties have tested positive for the virus this year. Many of those who died this year were senior citizens, who health officials said are at a higher risk of getting sick and developing complications.
West Nile is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. Flu-like symptoms can occur.