California Owners Urged to Vaccinate Horses against WNV

Butte County, California, public health officials are urging horse owners to vaccinate their equids against West Nile virus (WNV) now, if they have not already done so.
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Butte County, California, public health officials are urging horse owners to vaccinate their equids against West Nile virus (WNV) now, if they have not already done so.

Horses are at significant risk for WNV each year, particularly during summer months, and proper vaccination is the best defense. In 2012, 22 California horses were confirmed positive for WNV, and eight of them died or were euthanized. Most of the WNV-positive horses were unvaccinated or improperly vaccinated.

Several effective vaccines are available. Horse owners should discuss vaccination options with their veterinarian to determine an appropriate vaccination plan for their horses. Horses need to be vaccinated at least annually (sometimes twice annually, depending on their geographic location), ideally prior to mosquito season.

In horses, WNV can cause a wide range of clinical signs ranging from mild flulike signs to brain inflammation that can be fatal

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