Multiple horses test positive for West Nile Virus; 5 have died of the disease so far

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health has confirmed multiple cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in horses — five of which have died.

According to the board, the first case was identified in an unvaccinated horse in Kittson County on July 28, after it was found unable to stand up on its own.

Despite attempts to battle WNV symptoms, the horse died three days later.

Since Aug. 9, six additional horses have been found sick in Fillmore, Lincoln, Wadena, Mille Lacs, and Wabasha counties. Four of those horses, all of which were unvaccinated or had an unknown history of vaccination against WNV, have died.

“We’re in prime WNV season,” said Dr. Heather Damico, senior veterinarian leading the Board’s equine program. “The types of mosquitoes that spread the disease are more active in July and August, leading to more cases of the disease.”

WNV is typically spread from birds to mosquitoes, which can then infect humans or horses. Horses, once sick, are unable to spread the disease to other animals or people.

According to Damico, the most effective way to protect animals from WNV is to vaccinate them.

“Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate,” Damico said. “Keeping your horses up to date with their annual vaccine boosters is the best way to protect them from mosquito-borne diseases. Nearly all the cases we see in Minnesota horses are in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated animals. Vaccinations prevent infection and reduce the impact of WNV in horses if they do get sick.”

Besides vaccination, horse owners can also reduce the risk of WNV by reducing mosquito populations.

This includes changing the water in drinking troughs every week, mowing long grass, draining stagnant water puddles, removing items that mosquitoes use for breeding, such as tires and containers, installing efficient screens on windows and stables, and using mosquito repellents.

Information about WNV in people can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health website.
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