Absolutely. Even if West Nile virus hasn’t been diagnosed in horses in your area recently, they should still be vaccinated because WNV is considered to be endemic to all areas of North America. In fact, the American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends that all horses in North America be immunized against WNV. Unfortunately, the threat of WNV infection is brought home even more by continuing and widespread reports of human infections.
Infected birds carry WNV, then the disease is further transmitted to humans or horses by mosquitoes. WNV continues to be a concern for human and equine populations because migrating birds and overwintering mosquitoes continue to carry the disease. Additionally, risk of exposure may increase or decrease from year to year because of changes in mosquito population.
WNV is a costly and deadly disease that attacks the central nervous system. Infected horses may develop signs, including incoordination and stumbling, depression, excitability, muscle trembling and fever. One in three horses showing clinical signs of WNV will die.
While many horses will survive WNV, about 40 percent may still exhibit lingering problems, such as gait and behavioral abnormalities as long as six months after being diagnosed. Additionally, since there is no cure for this disease, once a horse develops clinical signs of WNV, only supportive care can be given.
Horse owners should choose a vaccine that will start working fast and will help guard against WNV for the duration of the mosquito season, like Recombitek Equine WNV vaccine from Merial. Recombitek is proven to protect horses fast – just 14 days after the initial two-dose vaccination series – and is safe for foals as young as 2 to 4 months or older.
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