June 01, 2005 11:15 AM - CDFA
Press Release
FIRST CONFIRMED EQUINE CASE OF
WEST NILE VIRUS FOR 2005 - Earlier start of season compared to
2004
SACRAMENTO - The first positive
equine case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in California in 2005 has
been reported in Plumas County. The horse, which is recovering, is
a 3-year-old quarter horse mare. The case was confirmed about a
month earlier than the first case of 2004.
WNV is a mosquito-borne virus that
was first detected in the United States in 1999 in the New York
City area. It may cause a wide range of clinical illnesses from
mild, "flu-like" symptoms to encephalitis (inflammation
of the brain) that may be fatal to both humans and horses. While
horses are susceptible to WNV, many horses infected with the
disease will not develop any illness and will recover
uneventfully. Currently, there is no specific treatment for WNV.
California became the focus for
West Nile Virus in 2004 with 540 confirmed clinical equine cases.
Over 40 percent of clinically affected horses died or were
euthanized. In 2004, WNV was detected in all California counties.
The Centers for Disease Control has
predicted that California will again be the epicenter for WNV in
2005.
Signs of West Nile Virus in horses
include stumbling, staggering, loss of coordination, muscle
twitching, circling, and inability to stand. Birds serve as the
primary reservoir for harboring the disease. Mosquitoes transmit
the disease to humans and horses after feeding on infected birds.
Once infected, horses do not spread
the disease to other humans or horses.
The California Department of Food
and Agriculture is urging horse owners to consult their
veterinarian to ensure each horse is current on West Nile
Virus vaccinations. It is also
important to practice mosquito control methods to aid in reducing
mosquito-breeding sites.
For more information on West Nile
Virus in horses, call the Equine West Nile information line
1-800-268-7378 or email WNVirus@cdfa.ca.gov
or visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/wnv_info.htm.
Contact: CDFA Public Affairs at
916/654-0462
For additional information on the California Department of Food
and Agriculture please visit our website at www.cdfa.ca.gov
AHP Newsgroup Press Release, January 11 2005
West Nile Virus Vaccination
Recommendations Released by the AAEP
The Vaccinations Task Force of the American Association of
Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has released recommendations for the
administration of the West Nile virus vaccine. Recommendations
for the vaccine's use are based on the age, type and level of
activity of the horse. The new West Nile virus guidelines
are a supplement to the AAEP's "Guidelines for Vaccination
of Horses" that was released in 2001. The
guidelines are intended to serve as a reference for
veterinarians as they employ vaccines in their respective
practices.
To view the recommendations online, please
visit: http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/AAEP_WNV_Guidelines_2005.pdf.
The Task Force,
co-chaired by Robert Holland, DVM, and Gordon Brumbaugh, DVM,
comprised researchers, vaccine manufacturers and private
practitioners. A copy of the resource guide
"Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses" can be obtained
by contacting the AAEP office at 859.233.0147 or aaepoffice@aaep.org.
The cost of the guide is $3 for AAEP members and $7 for
non-members.
The Task Force stresses that each
individual vaccination situation must be evaluated based on the
risk of disease, potential for adverse reactions to a vaccine,
anticipated efficacy of the selected product and cost.
Veterinarians, through an appropriate
veterinarian-client-patient relationship, should use the
guidelines coupled with available products to determine the best
professional care for their patients.
The American Association of Equine
Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., is the world's
largest professional association of equine veterinarians.
Founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the
health and welfare of the horse, the AAEP currently reaches more
than 5 million horse owners through its over 8,000 members
worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice
management, research and continuing education in the equine
veterinary profession and horse industry.
Note: The vaccination guidelines may be reprinted with
permission granted by the AAEP.
Information Links
