The Georgia Department of Agriculture said two horses in Ware County recently tested positive for the West Nile virus (WNV), the Equine Disease Communication Center reported last week.
The EDCC did not specify in the report where in the county the two horses were located. There were no quarantines issued, but local mosquito-borne transmission was deemed “active,” the report said.
West Nile virus is transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. There is no cure for the virus, but there is an equine vaccine, and studies have shown it can be an effective WNV prevention tool.
Equine mortality rates from the virus can reach 30 to 40 percent for unvaccinated animals, data shows. Infected horses can recover with supportive care.
Horses vaccinated in past years need need an annual booster shot, but veterinarians might recommend two boosters annually — one in the spring and another in the fall — in areas with prolonged mosquito seasons such as the south.
In contrast, previously unvaccinated horses require a two-shot vaccination series in a three- to six-week period. It takes several weeks for horses to develop protection against the disease following complete vaccination or booster administration.
In addition to vaccinations, owners should work to reduce mosquito population and breeding areas and limit horses’ mosquito exposure by:
• Removing stagnant water sources;
• Dumping, cleaning, and refilling water buckets and troughs regularly;
• Keeping animals inside during insect feeding times (typically early morning and evening);
• Applying mosquito repellents approved for equine use.
Not all infected horses show clinical signs, but those that do can exhibit:
• Fever and loss of appetite
• Depression and lethargy;
• Muscle tremors or twitching
• Weakness or paralysis in the hind limbs;
• Staggering, stumbling, or lack of coordination.
WNV can spread to people in the same manner as animals, but is far less severe. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 80 percent of people infected have no symptoms while those who do experience mild, flu-like illness.
Less than one percent develop major issues such as high fever, severe headache, stiff neck and muscle weakness.
Senior citizens are at a higher risk for those problems.
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