Q. What is West Nile Virus?
A. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a viral disease that can cause encephalitis or meningitis. It's potentially fatal to horses. WNV has been reported in humans, horses, birds and mosquitoes. The WNV virus is spread through mosquito bites. Aggressive mosquito control programs by governments has reduced the spread of WNV, however it remains a serious health threat.

Q. How do horses become infected with West Nile Virus?
A. Horses become infected via mosquito bite, just like humans. The virus is transmitted from the mosquito to the horse in as the mosquito bites or sucks the blood from the horse. The virus is carried in the mosquito's saliva. The mosquito becomes infected when it first feeds on an infected bird or other animal.

Q. How does WNV cause serious illness or death in horses?
A. In an infected horse, the virus multiplies in the blood system and infects the horse's brain. The infection in the brain causes inflammation of the central nervous system and brain. This is known as WNV encephalitis.

Q. What are the signs of West Nile Virus in horses?
A. The signs of a West Nile Virus infection are the same as other encephalitis diseases. Always consult your veterinarian, as only a lab test can confirm the diagnosis of WNV encephalitis.

• Loss of Appetite
• Depression
• Fever
• Weakness or paralysis of hind legs
• Muzzle twitching
• Aimless wandering
• Inability to swallow
• Ataxia ( lack of coordination )
• Circling
• Coma

Q. Can an infected horse transmit WNV to other horses or to humans?
A. No. There is no documented evidence that this has occurred. West Nile Virus is transmitted only by infectious mosquitoes. Humans should take normal precautions to prevent viral infections when caring for infected horses.

Q. How can I protect my horse by vaccination?
A. Vaccination against the WNV is effective. It is imperative that horse owners are aware that prior vaccination against other forms of equine encephalitis does not protect against West Nile Virus. There is no cross protection between vaccination for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), western equine encephalitis (WEE), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) and West Nile virus.

Q. How can I protect my horse from mosquitoes?
A. There are several things you can do to keep exposure to mosquitoes to a minimum.

• Keep your horse indoors during peak mosquito time – dusk and dawn
• Keep birds away from the stable as much as possible. Keep an eye out for any dead birds and remove them immediately and reported to your local health department. Use gloves to remove dead birds.
• Eliminate any standing water on your property. Mosquitoes breed in shallow, stagnant water.
• Use topical mosquito repellants on your horse.
• Use a insect fogger in the stable to kill/prevent mosquitoes. This is especially effective when done in the early evening hours of prime mosquito activity.
• Keep fans running in the stable, aimed at your horse to deter mosquitoes.

Q. What do birds have to do with WNV?
A. Large numbers of birds, including song birds and chickens are infected with WNV. Mosquitoes become infected with WNV when they feed on infected birds.

Q. Is there treatment for a horse infected with WNV? Does an infected horse have to be destroyed?
A. Although WNV can be fatal, the majority of horses today are recovering from WNV. There is no specific treatment for WNV. Current veterinary treatment is supportive and consistent with treatment for any viral infection.

Q. Is an infected horse contagious?
A. Because WNV is transmitted only by mosquitoes, your infected horse is not contagious to you or to other horses. It is uncertain whether or not a previously uninfected mosquito could be infected with WNV by biting an infected horse.

Q. Can my horse get WNV from ticks?
A. There have been no documented cases of WNV being transmitted via ticks. It is a mosquito borne infection.