Q. What is West Nile Virus?
A. West Nile is a virus that causes encephalitis in humans and horses. Recently the virus has been found in the Eastern States of the U.S.. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes that acquire it from infected birds.
Q. How could a horse get West Nile virus?
A. Horses become infected with West Nile Virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Horses can not transmit the West Nile virus to other horses, birds or people.
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of West Nile encephalitis in horses?
A. In horses that do become clinically ill, the virus infects the central nervous system and causes symptoms of encephalitis. Clinical signs can include: loss of appetite, depression, fever, weakness of hind limbs, paralysis of hind limbs, impaired vision, ataxia, head pressing, aimless wandering, convulsions, inability to swallow, circling, hyperexcitability, or coma
Q. Is there a treatment for West Nile encephalitis in Horses?
A. No, supportive veterinary care is recommended.
Q. Is there a vaccine for West Nile Virus?
A. Yes there is vaccine in use for horses produced by Fort Dodge Animal Health. The recommended dose is two 1-mL doses, three weeks apart, plus annual revaccination. The vaccine is available only from a licensed veterinarian.
Q. Are humans at risk
for getting West Nile encephalitis?
A. All residents of areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk
of getting West Nile encephalitis; persons older than 50 years have the highest
risk of severe disease.
Q. What are the symptoms of West Nile encephalitis?
A. Most infections are mild, and symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infection may be marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and rarely death.
Q. What is the incubation period in humans (i.e., time from infection to onset of disease symptoms) for West Nile encephalitis?
A. Usually 3 to 15 days.
Q. Do birds infected
with West Nile virus die or become ill?
A. In the 1999 New York area epidemic, there was a large die-off of American
crows. Through September 2000, West Nile virus has been identified in at least
70 species of birds found dead in the United States. Most of these birds were
identified through reporting of dead birds by the public.
Q. How can I report a
sighting of dead bird(s) in my area?
A. Please contact the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Division of
Animal Industry (801) 538-7161 or the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (801)
538-4700 or the Utah Department of Health (801) 538-6191 or your local health
department.
Q. How can I reduce the number of mosquitoes around my home?
A. Reduce the amount of standing water available for mosquito breeding.
* Dispose of tin cans,
plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers on your
property.
* Remove all discarded tires.
* Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
* Clean clogged roof gutters.
* Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
* Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths.
* Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
* Clean and chlorinate swimming pools when not in use.
* Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.
Q. How can I prevent mosquitoes from affecting my horses?
A. There are some easy
steps you can take to prevent mosquitoes from affecting your horses:
* House horses indoors during peak periods of mosquito activity (dusk and dawn).
* Avoid turning on lights inside the stable during the evening and overnight.
* Place incandescent bulbs around the perimeter of the stable to attract
mosquitoes away from the horses.
* Remove all birds, including chickens, that are in or close to the stable.
* Eliminate areas of standing water on your property.
* Topical preparations containing mosquito repellants are available for horses.
Read the product label before using and follow all instructions.
* Fogging of stable premises can be done in the evening to reduce mosquitoes;
read directions carefully before using.
Q. Is West Nile virus in Utah?
A. Yes, West Nile Virus was detected in Utah in August, 2003.
Q. What is Utah doing to prevent a West Nile virus outbreak?
A. The Utah Public Health Laboratory is capable of testing birds and mosquitoes for the presence of the virus. If virus is located within the state a warning will be made to allow people to take measures to protect themselves and their horses.
West Nile Virus as a Health Risk for People