PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
August 24, 2007 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856 (402) 440-7251 (cell)

LINCOLN - Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach is encouraging horse owners to visit with their veterinarian about vaccinating their animals against West Nile Virus (WNV). Four horses, one each in Custer, Dodge, Hall and Scotts Bluff counties, have been diagnosed with the virus in the past three weeks.

"These recent cases serve as a reminder that equine owners should consider measures to protect their animals," Ibach said. "With good precipitation in a large part of the state, we have prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and therefore, an increased chance of West Nile transmission." WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes said it is not too late for horse owners to vaccinate their animals. He recommended horse owners contact their local veterinarian for guidance on whether a two-shot vaccination regimen or a booster shot is needed. "Vaccination will help prevent the horse from contracting the virus, and if they do get it, improve their chances of survival," Hughes said.

Horse owners are also encouraged to remove mosquito breeding points by eliminating any pools of standing water. If possible, animals also should be moved indoors during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Other preventative measures include: avoid turning on lights inside the stable during evening and overnight; remove birds that are in, or close to, the stable; and use mosquito repellants.

Clinical symptoms in WNV-infected horses include an elevated temperature, muscle twitching, lack of coordination, weakness of the limbs, or partial paralysis.

More information on WNV can be found at www.agr.ne.gov under the Animal Health section. To report suspected cases of WNV, contact a local veterinarian, NDA's Bureau of Animal Industry at (402) 471-2351, or United States Department of Agriculture/APHIS/Veterinary Services at (402) 434-2300.