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Realplayer virus7/31/2023 ![]() ![]() Methods to eliminate mosquito breeding sites include: Mosquito control efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites are also important. Application of mosquito repellant can also effectively reduce the number of mosquito bites on horses. Minimizing horse exposure to mosquitoes during the peak mosquito feeding periods at dawn and dusk decreases the risk of horse exposure to WNV. Horse owners should consult with their veterinary practitioner to ensure current WNV vaccination status of their horses. Currently, there are four United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-licensed WNV vaccines available for horses in the U.S. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recommends incorporation of a WNV vaccine as an annual core vaccine in equine vaccination protocols. Although the number of WNV infected horses has declined over the last five years, WNV remains an important disease in unvaccinated horses. Vaccination and mosquito control minimize the risk of WNV infection in horses. For horses exhibiting clinical signs of WNV, the case fatality rate is approximately 33% however, many infected horses will fully recover following infection. Recumbent WNV positive horses are at a higher risk of dying or requiring euthanasia. Supportive care includes administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and intravenous fluids. Treatment and PrognosisĬurrently, there is no specific treatment for WNV. Unexposed animals vaccinated for WNV will test negative on the WNV IgM capture ELISA test. A positive WNV IgM Capture ELISA test is indicative of recent infection. The WNV IgM capture ELISA test is a specific test that detects acute WNV infection in animals, is usually positive within six (6) days post infection and can remain positive for up to two (2) months post infection. Drooping lips and lip smacking, head drooping, grinding teethĪny horse displaying abnormal behavior or neurologic signs should be examined by a veterinarian to rule out neurologic diseases, such as WNV, Equine Herpes Virus-1, Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalopathy, Eastern/Western Encephalomyelitis and Rabies.īlood samples should be collected by a veterinarian and sent for diagnostic testing.Generalized weakness, muscle twitching, seizures or coma.Incoordination, especially in rear limbs, causing stumbling and falling.While horses are susceptible to WNV infection, many infected horses do not develop clinical illness and recover uneventfully.Ĭonsult a veterinarian if your horse exhibits any of the following clinical signs: ![]() West Nile Virus may cause a wide range of clinical illness ranging from mild” flu-like” signs to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) that may be fatal to both humans and horses. Mosquitos that feed on an infected horse or human have not demonstrated the ability to ingest enough of the virus to transmit it to other animals or humans therefore, horses and humans are considered “dead end hosts.” Clinical Signs Mosquitos acquire WNV in blood meals from infected birds and pass it on to other birds, animals, and people. Birds are considered the natural reservoir for WNV since high levels of virus circulate in their bloodstream. The virus is maintained in the wild bird population and is spread between birds by mosquitos. have been infected since the disease was first identified. As of 2015, more than 27,000 horses in the U.S. and Canada, infecting birds, humans, horses, and other animals. Since 1999, the virus has spread throughout the U.S. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus first detected in the United States (U.S.) in the New York City area in 1999. ![]()
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