An 11-year-old mare from Monmouth County, N.J., has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said Oct. 12. The mare was not vaccinated against the disease.

The affected horse first showed symptoms of WNV on October 10 and is being treated for the disease. This is the state’s first reported case this year.

"We urge horse owners to vaccinate their animals from serious mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis," said Fisher. "We have found that animals that are vaccinated are less likely to contract these deadly diseases."

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection reports that the exceedingly high levels of precipitation experienced statewide due to Hurricane Irene and subsequent rainstorms have resulted in much higher than normal mosquito populations. They said the immense amount of floodwater throughout the state created habitat for those species of mosquitoes which utilize semi-permanent, standing water for larval development