For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 12, 2004

Contact: Howard Sutter (714) 834-2178

Tests Confirm Orange County’s First Equine West Nile Virus Infection

(Santa Ana) – Testing conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture has confirmed the first West Nile Virus (WNV) infection of a horse in Orange County.

According to the state, the horse was stabled in the Yorba Linda area and the specimen that tested positive was drawn August 5, 2004. No information was immediately available from the state on whether the horse had been vaccinated or its current condition. As of August 6, at least 62 WNV equine cases had been confirmed this year in California.

Horses may become infected with WNV when bitten by an infected mosquito. Signs of West Nile Virus in horses include stumbling, staggering, wobbling, weakness, muscle twitching or inability to stand. Horses with WNV infection are not contagious to other horses or to people. Not every horse exposed to the virus will develop symptoms, but of the horses that do, approximately 30 percent will die of the infection or will need to be euthanized.

There are two fully approved West Nile virus vaccines available for horses. Each requires an initial series of at least two vaccinations, followed by periodic “booster” injections. Horse owners should consult their veterinarian about which of the vaccines is most appropriate for their horses and how often booster vaccinations should be administered.

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