NMDA urges horse owners to vaccinate against West Nile Virus

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – State officials are urging horse owners to vaccinate their animals in an effort to curb cases of West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern and Western equine Encephalitis. The announcement from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) follows the New Mexico Department of Health’s confirmation of WNV in a Union County resident.

A press release states horses and humans become infected after being bitten by one of many different mosquito species that get WNV by feeding on infected birds. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) says horses represent 96.9% of all reported nonhuman cases of WNV in mammals.

Classic clinical symptoms for horses include:

• Fever
• Ataxia
• Stumbling
• Hind limb weakness
• Depression
• Anorexia
• Recumbency with the inability to rise
• Muscle tremors
• Dysphagia
• Head pressing
• Signs of colic
• Behavior changes
• Convulsions
• Coma

The release says many horses infected with WNV may not show clinical symptoms and some can die without showing any signs of disease. Officials say if a horse is showing abnormal behavior or any neurological signs, a veterinarian should be called immediately.

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