Officials urge vaccination for mosquito-borne virus in some NY regions

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – The State Agriculture Department is urging horse owners to vaccinate their horses against Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus as cases are being seen throughout several areas in New York State.

There is no cure for EEE or WNV which can be fatal for unvaccinated horses.

So far this year, New York has already seen cases of EEE found in horses in Clinton, Franklin, Saint Lawrence, Washington, Madison, Oneida, Orange, Ulster, Cayuga, and Wayne counties. There has also been one confirmed case of WNV in Oswego County.

The virus is spread through the bite of mosquitoes that is carried by infected birds, making vaccinations important as parts of New York have mosquito activity stretching as late as November.

“A simple vaccination can go a long way toward protecting horses against mosquito-borne diseases. If you’re a horse owner and your horse is in need of a vaccination, I encourage you to make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible,” Commissioner Richard Ball said.

Owners are being urged to ask their veterinarian about recommended vaccines that protect against these viruses.

Vaccines can be effective for up to one year, but it is recommended to vaccinate horses every six months.

In addition to vaccinations, horse owners are also be encouraged to use other prevention methods such as:

• Eliminating standing water where mosquitos can breed.
• Using insect repellents.
• Removing animals from mosquito-infested areas during peak biting times around dawn and dusk.

Symptoms found in EEE can include staggering, circling, depression, loss of appetite, and sometimes fever or blindness. WNV may show signs in horses such as lethargy, weakness in the hindquarters, stumbling, lack of awareness, head tilt and head twitching, convulsions, circling, partial paralysis, and coma.

While mosquitos can pass WNV to humans, horses, and other animals, they cannot spread the disease to other animals.

People are not susceptible to WNV while handling a horse that is infected, but the virus is a concern and there are no vaccines for humans. There are no confirmed cases of these diseases in humans in New York State.