I copied this from the most recent Vetmed Digest I received. I thought the numbers were quite interesting since there are so many states ahead of Florida and Louisiana here which kind of surprised me. My vet was out yesterday and she reconfirmed for me that the West Nile vaccine is the best way to combat this disease. Reading the VETMED digest confirms her views. When you do vaccinate for the first time make sure you get the booster 3 to 6 weeks after the first shot. The horse is not protected until 3 weeks after the booster. The efficacy of the vaccine is running about 97 per cent, nationally. Extremely healthy horses have contracted West Nile, including endurance horses (ask Truman if you don't believe me), so don't get a false sense of security by listening to those "Christian Science" type of horse owners who recommend not to vaccinate. These folks have left the world of "reality" and entered some sort of delusional moronic twilight zone where true science does not exist. Pity their horses. cya, Howard VETMED Digest - 31 Oct 2002 to 1 Nov 2002 - Special issue (#2002-435) ![]() The total number of equine cases of illness caused by West Nile virus (WNV) confirmed at the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) or reported by state officials so far this year is 11 957. That is an increase of 431 cases from one week ago.
The cases are from 38 states: Alabama (88), Arkansas (117), Colorado (378), Connecticut (1), Delaware (1), Florida (294), Georgia (50), Illinois (949), Indiana (640), Iowa (1,039), Kansas (629), Kentucky (486), Louisiana (358), Maryland (15), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (307), Minnesota (859), Mississippi (256), Missouri (681), Montana (134), Nebraska (1,078), New Jersey (37), New Mexico (35), New York (26), North Carolina (10), North Dakota (569), Ohio (626), Oklahoma (349), Pennsylvania (74), South Carolina
(6), South Dakota (671), Tennessee (115), Texas (817), Vermont (3),Virginia (35), West Virginia (3), Wisconsin (127), and Wyoming (93).
Here's another interesting tidbit from the digest: "Now owners should talk with the private veterinarian about a 'booster' shot for equids that were vaccinated at least 6 months ago. This is particularly important if the animals reside in or will be traveling to areas where temperatures are warm enough to support mosquitoes through the winter," said Dr. Logan. "This booster shot can strengthen the animal's immunity, enabling it to fight off development of clinical disease." WNV vaccine is produced by Fort Dodge Animal Health and is conditionally licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), explained veterinarian Terry Conger, TAHC's state epidemiologist. Aside from mosquito repellents, he said the vaccine, available through veterinarians, is the only protection available against the disease that has affected nearly 12 000 horses in 38 states in 2002. "Studies on the effectiveness of the vaccine must be completed before the vaccine gains final approval," said veterinarian Terry Conger, TAHC's state epidemiologist. "However, preliminary reports on the vaccine's safety and effectiveness looks good. Of the 20 000 equine animals vaccinated properly in 2001 in Florida, only
one was known to have developed WNV infection." "Adequate supplies of WNV vaccine are available from the maker, but many owners have procrastinated about getting their horses immunized," said Dr. Conger. "On 28 Oct 2002, we talked with representatives of Fort Dodge Animal Health and were told only 750 000 doses of the vaccine have been ordered by Texas private practitioners. That's enough vaccine for only 325 000 of the state's 1
million horses, because the immunization process requires 2 doses of the vaccine, with the second administered 3 to 6 weeks after the first injection. Maximum disease immunity doesn't occur until 3 or 4 weeks after the second shot. To maintain disease protection, the animal needs a 'booster' shot yearly, or in warmer climates, every 6 months."
"In all likelihood, WNV will continue to spread, but in making a diagnosis in equids, we need always to consider rabies or other diseases that can cause animals to be disoriented," explained Dr. Logan. "Although fairly rare, rabies can strike livestock, and owners who handle an animal stricken with rabies should contact their physician immediately. It's important to follow through with your veterinary practitioner to get a diagnosis confirmed when livestock become extremely sick or die, especially if they exhibit signs of neurological distress, such as inability to rise, stumbling, head swinging, or disorientation.
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Carla Everett
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