YAKIMA, WA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has reported the first West Nile virus case in a Yakima County horse this year.
On September 11, a 1-year-old thoroughbred tested positive at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory following reports of positive mosquito pools in Benton, Grant and Yakima Counties, WSDA said in a release.
West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes and can affect horses, birds and people. The disease does not spread through direct contact with infected horses. In Washington, the virus appears annually, mostly during summer and early fall.
Horses are particularly vulnerable due to lack of natural immunity.
“Even as temperatures begin to cool in the evenings, mosquitoes that carry WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases remain active until a hard freeze occurs,” said Dr. Amber Itle, WSDA state Veterinarian.
WSDA recommends horse owners contact veterinarians about vaccination and take precautions such as using insect repellents, placing livestock in sheltered areas and eliminating standing water.
