N.Y. Owners Encouraged to Vaccinate Horses against Diseases

In 2012, two cases of EEE were reported in New York horses, as well as seven WNV cases.
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State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine; State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, MD, MPH; and State Gaming Commission Acting Director Robert Williams urged horse owners across New York state to vaccinate their horses against Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus (WNV). In 2012, two cases of EEE were reported in horses in New York, as well as seven WNV cases. No confirmed cases of either disease have been reported in New York horses thus far in 2013.

“Every year in New York, cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus pop up in horses across the state—diseases which are largely preventable,” said Aubertine. “Good prevention programs are a key component to any animal health plan and I encourage horse owners across New York to take the necessary precautions and vaccinate their horses against these diseases today.”

While it is preferable to vaccinate horses against these diseases in the spring before the mosquitoes that transmit them are active, early summer is not too late; New York often has mosquito activity into the month of November. Vaccines for EEE and WNV can be effective for six to twelve months, and horses should be revaccinated at least annually. In areas where the diseases occur year round, many veterinarians recommend vaccinations every six months. For the vaccine to be effective, it must be handled and administered properly, prior to an anticipated increase in mosquito activity in a local area. For these reasons, state veterinarian David Smith, DVM, recommends that the vaccines be administered by a veterinarian.

Other preventative methods include eliminating standing water breeding sites for mosquitoes, using insect repellents, and removing animals from mosquito-infested areas during peak biting times, usually from dusk to dawn. In addition, water in troughs and buckets should be changed at least twice a week to discourage mosquito breeding

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