FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2014 First 2014 case of equine West Nile virus confirmed in New Mexico People reminded to minimize risk to themselves, horses by minimizing mosquitoes The horse, which resided at a property in Albuquerque’s South Valley, had to be euthanized last week after developing West Nile virus. The animal had not been vaccinated against the disease. The case comes two months into New Mexico’s monsoon season, which has given rise to mosquito populations that can carry West Nile virus and transmit it to horses and human alike. “Because of the large amounts of rainfall New Mexico received recently, mosquito populations are increasing, and we should expect West Nile virus activity throughout the state,” said Dr. Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian for the New Mexico Department of Health. “West Nile virus remains an important disease in unvaccinated horses,” said New Mexico State Veterinarian Dr. Ellen Mary Wilson, whose office is co-located with the New Mexico Livestock Board. Consult your veterinarian to ensure the current West Nile virus vaccination status of your horse. For more information, including fact sheets in English and Spanish, about how to protect against West Nile virus, visit: archive.nmhealth.org/ERD/HealthData/westnile.shtml.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 20:59:56 +0000
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