What are you doing about the West Nile Virus?

About the West Nile virus
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that causes inflammation or swelling
of the brain and spinal cord. Since its discovery in New York in 1999, the virus
has spread rapidly across the country, infecting horses, birds or humans in nearly
every state in the continental U.S. One in three clinically-infected horses will die.*
*USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.


Signs of West Nile Virus
These symptoms can be confused with rabies, EPM ("Possum Disease),
equine encephalitis, and other serious neurological diseases. If you see
these signs in your horse, see your veterinarian immediately.
*Stumbling or tripping
*Muscle weakness or twitching
*Partial paralysis
*Loss of appetite
*Depression or lethargy
*Head pressing or tilt
*Impaired vision
*Wandering or circling
*Inability to swallow
*Inability to stand up
*Fever
*Convulsions
*Coma
*Death

How do horses get West Nile virus?
The cycle starts with infected birds, which can travel long distances in a short
amount of time (see Where is WNV?). When a mosquito bites a bird carrying
the West Nile virus, it too becomes infected. The mosquito then feeds on
another bird, a horse, human or other mammal. Once a horse has been bitten,
it may take only 5 to 15 days for signs of West Nile virus to appear