In late August, San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District identified West Nile Virus in the Los Angeles Arboretum and at Santa Anita race track. This should be considered a reminder that West Nile Virus is now endemic in California. San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District has posted the warning notices at numerous locations at Santa Anita.
Protecting horses and people from West Nile virus
Horsemen are encouraged to contact their veterinarians for West Nile Virus vaccination recommendations and AAEP recommends an annual WNV booster.
To date, California has reported 117 human cases of West Nile Virus with 16 cases reported last week in the following counties: Butte (1), Kern (1), Los Angeles (11), Marin (1), Orange (1), and Riverside (1).
Six West Nile Virus-related fatalities have been reported from Glenn (1), Los Angeles (3), Sacramento (1), and San Joaquin (1) counties during 2013.
To date, eight horses from five California counties have tested positive for WNV in 2013.
According to Rick M. Arthur, DVM, Equine Medical Director, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, "Even though there is likelihood horses domiciled in California are naturally immunized against WNV, the only WNV fatality in the last several years at a CHRB facility was an unvaccinated horse."
"Horsemen are encouraged to consult with their veterinarians for his or her WNV vaccination recommendation. The AAEP recommends an annual WNV booster and there is little downside to vaccinating even this late in the WNV season."
State officials continue to encourage horse owners to make every effort to eliminate standing water any where mosquitos can breed. In the area of Santa Anita, they ask that "If there are leaking pipes or other reasons for standing water beyond your control notify Santa Anita. Vector control is an effective public health approach to mosquito borne viruses."