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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NAPSI)-Though the overall incidence of West Nile virus has been decreasing over the past two years, the potentially deadly disease continues to threaten equines, with 1,341 new cases reported in 38 different states from January through mid-December in 2004. This occurred despite extensive coverage in the media, as well as the availability of vaccine for horses. Equine health experts continue to appeal to horse owners to vaccinate unprotected horses, as well as properly booster previously vaccinated animals to maintain immunity.
West Nile Moved West
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released statistics that highlighted the disease's anticipated spread westward, reporting that California, which had only one reported case in 2003, had 536 confirmed cases in 2004, earning it the designation of the leading state for incidence of the disease. According to the California Department of Health Services, 42 percent of the equine West Nile virus cases in 2004 were fatal.
Other states hard hit by West Nile virus last year include Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Mississippi.
"With West Nile virus spreading to the West Coast, the disease is now considered endemic in all areas of the country," said Dr. Tim Cordes, Senior Staff Veterinarian for Equine Diseases at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. "We recommend that all horses be vaccinated as a primary means of prevention."
Declines Attributed
To Vaccines
In 2003, cases declined by 70 percent from the previous year, and in 2004 they declined again by 75 percent. The declines in equine West Nile virus cases over the past two years can be attributed in part to immunity-from both effective vaccines and the development of natural immunity among the horse population.
The first cases of equine West Nile virus were detected in 1999, with 25 horses being afflicted with the disease that year. Since then, the USDA has received reports of West Nile virus in all 48 states in the continental United States, with more than 22,600 horses having contracted the disease. Approximately one-third of horses clinically affected with West Nile virus die or are euthanized.
Now Is The Time To Vaccinate And Booster
West Nile virus typically increases in incidence through the summer months, with peak infection rates in August and September. However, many equine health experts strongly advocate horse owners have their animals vaccinated prior to the start of mosquito season. Horse owners with animals already vaccinated should consult with their veterinarian to discuss a routine boostering protocol based on the disease risk in their region.
West Nile-Innovator Vaccines
Veterinarians and horse owners across the country have been protecting millions of horses with the West Nile-Innovator vaccine since it was approved more than three years ago. It has been proven in the face of a major national epidemic.
"West Nile-Innovator offers the best combination of safety, efficacy and history, having played a proven and instrumental role in protecting horses from life-threatening West Nile virus from the onset of this epidemic," said Steve Hoffman, Equine Marketing Manager for Fort Dodge Animal Health. All of the West Nile-Innovator combination vaccines contain the first USDA-approved West Nile virus fraction developed by Fort Dodge Animal Health, which has been proven safe and effective in the face of the recent and deadly national outbreak.
To learn more, visit www. equinewestnile.com.
A powerful vaccine has been proven safe and effective against West Nile virus.
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