Eaton County horse is first in Michigan with West Nile Virus in 2024

LANSING — An unvaccinated Eaton County horse has been confirmed to have a case of West Nile Virus, state officials said Friday.

The 3-year-old Percheron colt, located at a farm state officials declined to identify, has the first case of the virus in a domesticated animal in Michigan in 2024, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported.

"This detection highlights the importance for Michiganders to continue taking precautions to protect their animals and themselves from mosquito bites," MDARD warned in a release.

“On July 21, 2024, the horse became ill with a lack of coordination, facial muscle twitches, and being down with an inability to rise. Subsequent testing revealed the animal was positive for WNV,” state Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said. “The key to protecting any domestic animal species from WNV or other mosquito-borne diseases is to safeguard them from mosquitoes and work with your veterinarian to vaccinate as appropriate."

WNV typically circulates between birds and mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can transmit the disease to people and other animals, especially horses. In Michigan, the disease is usually seen every summer through early fall, MDARD said, adding that mosquito-borne diseases, like WNV, are not spread by horse-to-horse or horse-to-human contact.

This year in Michigan, WNV has been detected in 49 mosquito pools, 19 wild birds and one human. A Livingston County resident became ill after contracting the virus , the Livingston County Health Department said in late July. The resident became sick in June, and was ""still receiving supportive medical care," Livingston County Health Department Health Promotion Coordinator Courtney Rynkiewicz said in late July.

Eastern equine encephalitis, another mosquito-borne disease affecting both animals and humans, was detected in a horse earlier in August.

For the latest information on cases of mosquito-borne diseases in Michigan, visit michigan.gov/emergingdiseases for weekly summaries.

What you can do

To prevent the occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases in horses and other animals, owners can:

• Talk to a veterinarian about vaccinating horses against WNV, Eastern equine encephalitis, and other mosquito-borne diseases.
• Eliminate standing water — i.e., fill in puddles, repair eaves, and change the water in buckets and bowls at least once a day.
• Place livestock in a barn under fans (as mosquitoes are not strong flyers) and pets inside the home during peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn.
• Use an insect repellant on animals approved for the species.
• Contact a veterinarian if an animal shows signs of illness.
• If a Michigan animal is suspected of having EEE or WNV, funding is available under an arbovirus grant to cover testing costs. Contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 for more details.
• People should apply insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-approved products to exposed skin or clothing. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
• Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Apply insect repellent to clothing to help prevent bites.
• Maintain window and door screening to help keep mosquitoes outside.
• Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, and other water-holding containers where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

Where else has West Nile been found?

So far this year, 10 birds from nine counties (Delta, Grand Traverse, Jackson, Lenawee, Luce, Marquette, Mason, Saginaw and Washtenaw) have tested positive for the virus, according to the report. Mosquitos collected from 17 pools of water in five counties (Bay, Kent, Ottawa, Saginaw and St. Clair) have also tested positive for the virus.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Eaton County horse is first in Michigan with West Nile Virus in 2024