West Nile Virus Articles

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus Vaccination Guidelines
10 Tips for Reducing Your Horse's West Nile Risk
Is WNV Vaccine Safe in Pregnant ares!
West Nile Virus " #acts and Pre$ention

West Nile Virus

Controlling the risk to your horse

How It Began

First isolated in Uganda in 1937, West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus that is
transmitted principall ! various species o" mos#uitoes and can cause in"lammation o"
the !rain and spinal cord (encephalomelitis)$ %linical disease caused ! this virus is seen
primaril in !irds, e#uines and humans and ver in"re#uentl in goats, sheep, dogs,
llamas, various reptiles and !ears, among other species$ &rior to its discover in the
northeastern U$'$ in 1999, WNV (as (idel distri!uted in )"rica, the *iddle +ast,
south(est )sia and parts o" +urope$
West Nile virus (as "irst recogni,ed in the (estern hemisphere in
'eptem!er 1999, (hen it (as isolated "rom the tissues o" sic- "lamingoes and pheasants
at the .ron/ 0oo and "rom dead cro(s in the Ne( 1or- %it area$ . 2332 over 14,333
horses (ere diagnosed (ith West Nile Virus in 51 states$

Birds & Mosquitoes Play A Role In Transmission

6i-e +astern and Western e#uine encephalomelitis viruses, (hich

historicall have !een identi"ied (ith sleeping sic-ness in humans and e#uines in the
U$'$, WNV circulates in nature !et(een !irds and mos#uitoes$ Various species o" !irds
serve as ampli"ing hosts o" the virus, (ith at least 37 species o" mos#uitoes acting as
vectors o" WNV and transmitting it to a (ide range o" species$ 8he strains o" WNV
present in North )merica are capa!le o" causing disease in certain domestic and e/otic
species o" !irds, especiall cro(s and !lue 9as, in (hich the in"ection is usuall "atal$
:umans, horses and a diversit o" other mammalian species can also !e in"ected (ith
WNV$ WNV in"ection in mammals does not result in large amounts o" the virus in the
!loodstream, as is seen in various !ird species$ 8his is important in terms o" disease
transmission$ .ecause there is onl a ver small amount o" the virus in the !lood o"
in"ected horses, mos#uitoes are una!le to transmit the virus "rom horse to horse or "rom
horse to human$ 8he virus is transmitted (hen a mos#uito ta-es a !lood meal "rom an
in"ected !ird, then "eeds on a horse$ ;uring the process o" ta-ing a !lood meal "rom the
horse, the virus is transmitted ! the in"ected mos#uito$

Clinical Signs

:orses and humans can !ecome clinicall a""ected ! WNV$ 8pical o"
numerous other viral in"ections, man horses e/perience no clinical illness "ollo(ing
e/posure to the virus "or the "irst time$
<n horses in"ected (ith WNV, the virus ma !reach the !lood=!rain !arrier
and damage the !rain and spinal cord$ While the clinical signs o" WNV
encephalomelitis can var in range and severit, those most "re#uentl o!served include
incoordination or ata/ia (especiall o" the hind lim!s)> t(itching o" the mu,,le and lo(er
lip> and t(itching o" the muscles in the nec-, shoulders or pectoral region$ 'igns ma !e
!ilateral or unilateral$ )lso reported are !ehavioral a!normalities (e$g$, depression or
heightened sensitivit to e/ternal stimuli, stum!ling, toe dragging, leaning to one side
and in severe cases, paralsis o" the hind#uarters, recum!enc, coma and death$ ?ther
clinical signs that ma !e noted include "ever, generali,ed (ea-ness, impaired vision,
ina!ilit to s(allo(, aimless (andering and convulsions$ 8he nature and severit o"
clinical signs depend largel on the area(s) o" the central nervous sstem a""ected ! the
virus and the e/tent o" damage$ 8he incidence o" disease tends to !e greater in older
horses, (here a "avora!le clinical outcome is less li-el$
;iagnosis o" WNV encephalomelitis is usuall !ased on the nature o" the
clinical signs displaed ! an a""ected horse together (ith the detection o" anti!odies to
the virus in the !lood ! la!orator e/amination$ <t is important to emphasi,e that man
o" the clinical signs o" WNV encephalomelitis closel resem!le those o!served in a
num!er o" other e#uine neurological diseases (e$g$, +astern e#uine encephalitis, ra!ies,
e#uine proto,oal meloencephalitis, e#uine herpesvirus=1 and !otulism) "rom (hich it
must !e distinguished$

Treatment

)t the present time, there is no speci"ic anti=viral treatment "or WNV

encephalomelitis$ *anagement should "ocus on controlling pain and in"lammation$
)nti=in"lammator drugs should !e provided as soon as possi!le to control in"lammator
changes in the central nervous sstem$ ?ther supportive measures such as intravenous
"luids, sedatives and nutritional support can !e important components o" therap$ <t is
important to consult our veterinarian immediatel i" ou suspect our horse is a""ected
(ith WNV encephalomelitis so that the appropriate treatment measures can !e
implemented (ithout dela$

Prevention

) num!er o" measures can !e ta-en to help protect our horse against WNV$
8hese are comprised o" management strategies to reduce e/posure to mos#uitoes and
immuni,ing against the disease$ :orses vaccinated against +astern, Western or
Vene,uelan e#uine encephalomelitis are not protected against WNV$ <n Fe!ruar 2333, a
vaccine (as licensed ! the U';)@s %enter "or Veterinar .iologics "or use in health
horses$ 8he vaccine has !een used e/tensivel to prevent WNV in"ections in horses$
8he vaccine should !e administered as a series o" t(o doses given three to si/
(ee-s apart$ Foals should receive three immuni,ations starting at 7 months o" age i" the
mare (as immuni,ed against WNV 33 das prior to "oaling$ 8he duration o" immunit
"rom vaccination is not -no(n$ <t is recommended to vaccinate ever "our months in
regions (here the virus is active$ %ontact our veterinarian "or the appropriate
vaccination schedule "or our location$ <n 2333, a recom!inant canarpo/ vaccine (as
licensed "or vaccination against WNV in horses$ 8he vaccine has et to !e scrutini,ed in
"ield conditions, !ut e/perimental studies reveal that it is protective against development
o" viremia involving WNV=in"ected mos#uitoes$

)side "rom vaccination against WNV, other measures should !e ta-en to

reduce the ris- o" our horse !eing !itten ! a virus=in"ected mos#uito$ %oncerted e""orts
should !e made to eliminate or reduce potential mos#uito !reeding sites ! disposing o"
old receptacles, tires and containers and eliminating areas o" standing (ater on "arms or
at racetrac-s and (herever horses congregate$
%lean clogged roo" gutters and turn over plastic (ading pools or (heel!arro(s
(hen not in use$ 8horoughl clean livestoc- (atering troughs at least monthl$ When it is
not possi!le to eliminate particular !reeding sites, measures should !e ta-en to control
mos#uito populations through the selective use o" larvicides and, under special
circumstances, adulticides$ 'uch action should onl !e ta-en, ho(ever, in consultation
(ith our local mos#uito control authorit$ <" the application o" such preparations is not
advisa!le, use a species o" "ish that "eed on mos#uito larvae !e"ore the hatch$ Aeep
horses indoors during pea- mos#uito activit periods (dus- to da(n)$ 'creen stalls (i"
possi!le) or at least install "ans over the horses to help deter mos#uitoes$ )void turning on
lights inside the sta!le during the evening or overnight$ .ecause mos#uitoes are attracted
to light, placing incandescent !ul!s around the perimeter o" the sta!le (ill attract
mos#uitoes a(a "rom the horses$ 6ights can also !e used to dra( mos#uitoes to electric
!ug ,appers$
8he use o" insect repellant that contain prethrin on horses can also reduce the
chance o" !eing !itten ! mos#uitoes$ Bemove an !irds (including chic-ens) located in
or close to a sta!le$ 'ome veterinarians have success ! hanging cattle ear tags on horse
halters$ 8hese ear tags have !een impregnated (ith insecticide and o"ten reduce the
e""ects o" not onl mos#uito !iting, !ut also midges and the e""ects o" C"l=stri-eD
dermatitis around the ears$
.ecause WNV can a""ect humans as (ell as horses, don@t "orget to ta-e actions to
protect oursel" as (ell$ When outdoors in the evening, (ear clothing that covers our
s-in and appl plent o" mos#uito repellent$

Conclusion

1ou as a horse o(ner need to !ecome (ell=in"ormed o" the potential

conse#uences o" in"ection (ith this virus, as (ith all diseases, and ta-e appropriate
measures to reduce the ris- o" transmission o" WNV to our horse(s)$ &revention is -e
to the control o" this in"ection$ 1ou should consult our local veterinarian on ho( !est to
protect our horse(s) against this disease$

For more in"ormation, contact our veterinarian$

)merican )ssociation o" +#uine &ractitioners ())+&)

5374 <ron Wor-s &ar-(a
6e/ington, A1 53411

posted %& Rose

posted' ()*0)*00+, -ast updated' ()*0)*00+,

West Nile Virus Vaccination Guidelines

Developed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners
This information is intended as a supplement to the AAEP's Guidelines for Vaccination of Horses
(January 2001! Practitioners are directed to consult this pu"lication as the follo#in$ discussion is
to "e read in con%unction #ith those $eneral $uidelines for &accination!
West Nile $irus .WNV/ infection 0as first diagnosed in 1orses in t1e 2nited States in 1333 and is
no0 an i4portant consideration in t1e differential diagnosis of 1orses presenting 0it1 signs of
neurologic disease in all areas of Nort1 54erica, West Nile $irus6 a fla$i$irus6 0as first identified
as a cause of infection and fatal encep1alo4&elitis .infla44ation of t1e spinal cord and %rain/ in
1orses and people in 7g&pt6 2ganda and #rance in t1e earl& 13809s, #urt1er epi:ootics of
disease in 1orses 1a$e occurred in orocco in 13386 Ital& in 133;6 #rance in *0006 and t1e
2nited States fro4 1333 to t1e present, West Nile $irus is no0 considered to %e ende4ic in all
areas of Nort1 54erica,
T1e fla$i$iruses6 like t1e ot1er encep1alo4&elitis $iruses6 are trans4itted %& 4os<uitoes6 and
infre<uentl& %& ot1er %loodsucking insects6 to 1orses6 1u4an %eings6 and a nu4%er of ot1er
4a44als fro4 a$ian 1osts6 01ic1 ser$e as natural reser$oirs for t1ese $iruses in nature, Horses
and 1u4ans are considered to %e dead"end 1osts of t1e West Nile $irus and6 t1erefore6 do not
contri%ute to t1e trans4ission c&cle, T1e $irus is not directl& contagious fro4 1orse to 1orse or
1orse to 1u4an, Si4ilarl&6 indirect trans4ission $ia 4os<uitoes fro4 infected 1orses is 1ig1l&
unlikel& %ecause 1orses do not e=perience a significant $ire4ia .i,e, t1e& 1a$e negligi%le a4ounts
of $irus circulating in t1eir %lood/,
T1e incu%ation period for West Nile $irus in 1orses appears to %e > to1+ da&s, ?linical signs of
WNV infection in 1orses 4a& include fe$er6 ata=ia .stu4%ling or incoordination/6 depression or
appre1ension6 stupor6 %e1a$ioral c1anges6 0eakness of li4%s6 partial paral&sis6 droop& lip6 teet1
grinding6 4uscle t0itc1ing6 fasciculation and tre4ors6 difficult& rising6 recu4%enc& .ina%ilit& to
rise/6 con$ulsions6 %lindness6 colic6 and inter4ittent la4eness6 or deat1, T1e 4ortalit& rate for
1orses e=1i%iting clinical signs of West Nile $irus infection is appro=i4atel& >>@, Aata 1as
supported t1at B0 @ of 1orses t1at sur$i$e t1e acute illness caused %& WNV still e=1i%it residual
effects6 suc1 as gait and %e1a$ioral a%nor4alities t1at 0ere attri%uted to t1e illness %& o0ners6 8
4ont1s post diagnosis,
T1e $aria%le clinical signs associated 0it1 WNV infection necessitate inclusion of 4an&
neurological disorders in t1e differential diagnoses, T1ese include' ra%iesC e<uine proto:oal
4&eloencep1alitis .7P/C e<uine 1erpes$irus"1C %otulis4C eastern6 0estern and Vene:uelan
encep1alo4&elitis .7776W776V77/C 1eat stressC trau4aC %acterial 4eningitisC cer$ical $erte%ral
4&elopat1& .0o%%ler s&ndro4e/C 4&eloencep1alopat1&C and e<uine degenerati$e 4&elopat1&,
Serologic tests used to diagnose WNV include pla<ue reduction neutrali:ation .PRNT/6 $irus
neutrali:ation6 1e4agglutination in1i%ition6 co4ple4ent fi=ation6 7-IS5 and antigen .Ig and IgG/
capture 7-IS5, Virus can also %e identified in central ner$ous s&ste4 tissue using tec1ni<ues
suc1 as $irus isolation6 P?R and i44uno1istoc1e4istr&, T1e Ig"capture 7-IS5 is currentl& t1e
4ost relia%le test for confir4ation of recent e=posure to West Nile Virus in a 1orse e=1i%iting
clinical signs, Horses e=posed to WNV t&picall& de$elop a s1arp rise in West Nile $irus"specific
Ig anti%od& t1at persists for B"8 0eeks after infection, -ittle Ig is de4onstrated in 1orses t1at
are recentl& $accinated, T1e anti%od& 4easured %& t1e PRNT is sti4ulated %ot1 %& $accination
and recent e=posure6 4aking t1is test difficult to interpret in t1e suspect 1orse,
Risk of e=posure and geograp1ic distri%ution of West Nile $irus $ar& fro4 &ear to &ear 0it1
c1anges in distri%ution of insect $ectors and reser$oirs of t1e $irus, Decause of t1e unpredicta%le
nature of t1ose factors and t1e effects of t1e disease6 it is reco44ended t1at all 1orses in Nort1
54erica %e i44uni:ed against West Nile $irus,
Pre$enti$e 4anage4ent practices 4a& 4ini4i:e t1e risk of t1e spread and trans4ission of West
Nile $irus fro4 infected 4os<uitoes, Reduction of 4os<uito nu4%ers and e=posure can %e
ac1ie$ed %& reducing or eli4inating an& stagnant or standing 0ater in &our area6 re4o$ing old
tires6 keeping 1orses in t1e %arns fro4 dusk to da0n .pri4e 4os<uito feeding ti4es/6 setting out
4os<uito traps6 keeping air 4o$ing 0it1 fans6 and re4o$ing organic de%ris .4uck/ pro4ptl&,
?1e4ical controls include t1e use of topical anti"4os<uito repellent agents appro$ed for t1e
1orse and use of 4os<uito dunks in areas of standing 0ater,
Vaccination is t1e pri4ar& 4et1od of reducing t1e risk of infection fro4 West Nile $irus to t1e
1orse %ut clinical disease is not full& pre$ented, Vaccination 0it1 one of t1e co44erciall&
a$aila%le licensed $accines is reco44ended for all 1orses residing in t1ose areas of Nort1
54erica 01ere t1e disease occurs, Ef t1e licensed $accines currentl& a$aila%le6 one is
4ono$alent or 4ulti$alent inacti$ated and t1e ot1er is a li$e canar&po= $ector $accine, T1ese
a$aila%le $accines 1a$e %een tested 0it1 a c1allenge 4odel and 1a$e %een pro$en to %e
effecti$e as an aid in t1e pre$ention of $ire4ia in e=peri4entall& infected $accinated 1orses
co4pared to non$accinated control 1orses for as long as 1* 4ont1s after pri4ar& $accination
0it1 t0o doses of $accine, #ollo0ing t1e la%el instructions6 pri4ar& $accination of pre$iousl& non"
$accinated 1orses in$ol$es ad4inistration of * doses of $accine > to 8 0eeks apart, In ende4ic
areas6 %oosters are re<uired or 0arranted according to local conditions conduci$e to disease risk,
Vaccinate se4i"annuall& or 4ore fre<uentl& .e$er& B 4ont1s/6 depending on risk, 5nnual
re$accination is %est co4pleted in t1e spring6 prior to t1e onset of peak insect $ector season,
W1ile neit1er of t1e licensed $accines is la%eled for ad4inistration to pregnant 4ares at t1is ti4e6
it is reco44ended t1at 4ares %e ideall& $accinated %efore %reeding 01en possi%le, Ho0e$er6
practitioners 1a$e $accinated t1ousands of pregnant 4ares due to t1e risk associated 0it1
pregnant 4ares getting t1e disease fro4 infected 4os<uitoes, It 1as %een accepted practice %&
4an& $eterinarians to ad4inister $accines to pregnant 4ares on t1e assu4ption t1at t1e risk of
ad$erse conse<uences of WNV infection out0eig1s an& reported ad$erse effects of use of
$accines in pregnant 4ares, Dooster $accination of pregnant 4ares B to 8 0eeks %efore foaling
pro$ides aug4ented passi$e colostral protection to t1eir foals6 lasting for >"B 4ont1s,
Pri4ar& $accination of foals fro4 $accinated 4ares s1ould %e started at >"B 4ont1s of age in
order to a$oid interference fro4 colostral anti%odies, #oals fro4 non"$accinated 4ares 4a& %e
$accinated earlier t1an t1ree 4ont1s of age as t1e& 4a& not 1a$e colostral interference issuesC
1o0e$er6 data on 01ic1 to %ase 4ore specific reco44endations for foals fro4 non"$accinated
4ares is not sufficient at t1is ti4e, #oals s1ould %e re$accinated at 1 &ear of age .in t1e Spring of
t1e &ear follo0ing t1eir %irt1/ to ensure ade<uate protection, Decause of t1e 1ig1 4ortalit&
associated 0it1 West Nile $irus6 it is reco44ended t1at foals %orn in areas 01ere t1ere is a 1ig1
risk of e=posure to West Nile $irus s1ould recei$e an initial series of t1ree .>/ doses of $accine
against West Nile %eginning at > 4ont1s of age and at B" to 8" 0eek inter$als, T1e t1ird dose 4a&
go at an inter$al of ;"10 0eeks if desired6 follo0ed %& a fourt1 dose at 1 &ear of age,
an& $eterinarians6 in Sout1ern states 01ere 4os<uitoes are acti$e &ear"round6 prefer to
$accinate 1orses se4iannuall& or 4ore fre<uentl& to 1elp ensure unifor4 protection t1roug1out
t1e &ear6 alt1oug1 t1is practice is not specificall& reco44ended %& 4anufacturers of $accines,
Horses t1at 1a$e %een naturall& infected 0it1 t1e disease s1ould %e $accinated one &ear after t1e
acute illness, 5lt1oug1 t1e a%ilit& of 1orses to %eco4e re"infected 0it1 WNV is unkno0n at t1is
ti4e6 1orses t1at 1a$e %een naturall& infected 0it1 WNV 4a& %e included in a routine $accination
progra4 as pre$iousl& descri%ed
West Nile Virus Vaccination Sc1edule
Foals/Weanlings Yearlings Performance
Horses
Pleasure
Horses
Broodmares Comments
First doseE 3 to 5
months$
'econd doseE 1
month later (plus
3
rd
dose at 7
months in
endemic areas)$
)nnual
!ooster, prior
to e/pected
ris-$ Vaccinate
semi=annuall
or more
"re#uentl
(ever 5
months),
depending on
ris-$

)nnual
!ooster, prior
to e/pected
ris-$ Vaccinate
semi=annuall
or more
"re#uentl
(ever 5
months),
depending on
ris-$
)nnual
!ooster, prior
to e/pected
ris-$ Vaccinate
semi=annuall
or more
"re#uentl
(ever 5
months),
depending on
ris-$
)nnual,
5 to 7 (ee-s
prepartum (see
"ull te/t in
guidelines)$
)nnual !ooster
is a"ter primar
series$ <n
endemic areas,
!ooster as
re#uired or
(arranted due to
local conditions
conducive to
disease ris-$
Vaccinate semi=
annuall or more
"re#uentl (ever
5 months),
depending on
ris-$

'ote( As #ith the administration of all medications) the la"el and product insert should "e read
"efore the administration of all &accines!
F?op&rig1t 557P *00+
posted %& Rose
posted' 1)10)*00+, -ast updated' 1)11)*00+,

! Ti"s #or Reducing $our %orse&s West Nile Ris'
Since first %eing recogni:ed in t1e 2nited States in 13336 West Nile $irus .WNV/ 1as
posed a serious t1reat to 1orses and 1u4ans alike, In t1e e<uine population6 t1e $irus is
trans4itted 01en a 4os<uito takes a %lood 4eal fro4 a %ird infected 0it1 WNV6 t1en feeds on a
1orse, W1ile 4an& 1orses e=posed to WNV e=perience no signs of illness6 t1e $irus can cause
infla44ation of t1e %rain and spinal cord, In so4e cases6 especiall& in older 1orses6 WNV can %e
fatal,
5s a 1orse o0ner6 pre$ention is t1e ke& to reducing &our 1orseGs risk of contracting WNV, #ollo0
t1ese guidelines fro4 t1e 54erican 5ssociation of 7<uine Practitioners .557P/ to protect &our
1orse against WNV'
1, ?onsider $accinating &our 1orse against t1e disease, In #e%ruar& *00>6 a $accine 0as
licensed %& t1e 2nited States Aepart4ent of 5gricultureGs ?enter for Veterinar& Diologics for use
in 1ealt1& 1orses as an aid in t1e pre$ention of t1e disease, Talk 0it1 &our $eterinarian a%out t1e
4ost appropriate $accination sc1edule for &our 1orse,
*, 7li4inate potential 4os<uito %reeding sites, Aispose of old receptacles6 tires and containers
and eli4inate areas of standing 0ater,
>, T1oroug1l& clean li$estock 0atering troug1s at least 4ont1l&,
B, 2se lar$icides to control 4os<uito populations 01en it is not possi%le to eli4inate particular
%reeding sites, Suc1 action s1ould onl& %e taken6 1o0e$er6 in consultation 0it1 &our local
4os<uito control aut1orit&,
+, Heep &our 1orse indoors during t1e peak 4os<uito acti$it& periods of dusk to da0n,
8, Screen stalls if possi%le or at least install fans o$er &our 1orse to 1elp deter 4os<uitoes,
(, 5$oid turning on lig1ts inside t1e sta%le during t1e e$ening or o$ernig1t,
;, 2sing insect repellants on &our 1orse t1at are designed to repel 4os<uitoes can 1elp reduce
t1e c1ance of %eing %itten,
3, Re4o$e an& %irds6 including c1ickens6 located in or close to a sta%le,
10, AonGt forget to protect &ourself as 0ell, W1en outdoors in t1e e$ening6 0ear clot1ing t1at
co$ers &our skin and appl& plent& of 4os<uito repellent,
#or 4ore infor4ation a%out t1e $irus6 ask &our e<uine $eterinarian for t1e IWest Nile VirusJ
%roc1ure6 produced %& t1e 557P in conKunction 0it1 Da&er 5ni4al Healt16 an 557P 7ducational
Partner, 5dditional infor4ation a%out WNV can %e found on t1e 557PGs 1orse"1ealt1 We% site6
000,4&Horseatters,co4,
T1e 54erican 5ssociation of 7<uine Practitioners6 1ead<uartered in -e=ington6 H&,6 0as founded
in 13+B as a non"profit organi:ation dedicated to t1e 1ealt1 and 0elfare of t1e 1orse, ?urrentl&6
557P reac1es 4ore t1an + 4illion 1orse o0ners t1roug1 its 86+00 4e4%ers 0orld0ide and is
acti$el& in$ol$ed in et1ics issues6 practice 4anage4ent6 researc1 and continuing education in t1e
e<uine $eterinar& profession and 1orse industr&,
posted' 3)*)*00>, -ast updated' 3)*)*00>,

Is WNV Vaccine Sa#e in Pregnant Mares(
)y Written )y *r+ Tom ,en-. AA/P 0!!1 President 2source3
Courtesy o# American 4uarter %orse 5ournal 6
Recentl&6 ru4ors 1a$e %een circulating around t1e 1orse co44unit& t1at t1e West Nile
Virus Vaccine is causing a%ortions in pregnant 4ares and %irt1 defects in foals, T1e ru4ors
%egan on a& >06 *00>6 01en t1e Aen$er Post ne0spaper pu%lis1ed an article entitled IWest
Nile Vaccine 7&ed in #oal -osses,J En Lune 186 *00>6 t1e Post pu%lis1ed anot1er article entitled6
IVet Wants Warnings on W, Nile Vaccines' So4e Dla4e S1ot for Horse Illnesses,J T1e aut1or of
%ot1 articles assigned a causal relations1ip %et0een t1e use of West Nile $irus .WNV/ $accine
and su%se<uent a%ortions in pregnant 4ares and ne0%orn foal %irt1 defects, T1e articles 0ere
%ased on clai4s fro4 so4e id0estern 1orse %reeders t1at t1eir 4ares 1ad a%orted or produced
defor4ed foals soon after $accination 0it1 t1e WNV $accine, 2nfortunatel&6 t1e articles 0ere
sensational and co4pelling to 4an& %rood4are o0ners despite t1e fact t1at 4uc1 of t1e
infor4ation 0as speculati$e and not %ased on scientific fact, Aespite t1e 4isleading infor4ation6
t1e ru4ors are fl&ing and 4an& %rood4are o0ners6 including so4e of 4& clients6 are afraid to
$accinate t1eir 4ares,
IG$e $isited 0it1 representati$es fro4 #t, Aodge -a%oratories6 t1e 4anufacturer of t1e WNV
$accineC t1e 2SA5 ?enter for Veterinar& Diologicals6 t1at appro$es and o$ersees e<uine
$accinesC and $arious $eterinar& diagnostic la%oratories around t1e countr& and none are seeing
scientific proof t1at t1e $accine is causing a pro%le4, Decause West Nile $irus affected nearl&
1+6000 1orses across t1e countr& in *00* 0it1 roug1l& >0@ of t1e infected6 non$accinated 1orses
d&ing6 t1e decision to not $accinate &our 1orses is a $er& serious one,
-etGs look at t1e facts, We kno0 t1at nor4all& roug1l& 10"1+@ of 4ares diagnosed pregnant
during t1e first 4ont1 of t1eir pregnanc& 0ill resor% or a%ort so4eti4e during t1at pregnanc&,
ost are due to uterine inco4pati%ilit&6 lo0 progesterone le$els6 stress6 inade<uate nutrition6 or
genetic defects in t1e e4%r&onic $esicle, We also kno0 t1at a nu4%er of infectious agents6
including Herpes Virus .R1ino/6 7<uine Viral 5rteritis6 7<uine Infectious 5ne4ia .7I5/6 and
%acterial infections6 do cause a%ortions in all stages of pregnanc&, We also kno0 t1at 4ares
carr&ing t0ins and t1ose on fescue pastures are prone to late ter4 a%ortions, Dirt1 defects can %e
geneticall& induced or due to to=ins or 1or4ones in feed or 0eeds, We kno0 t1at o$er ( 4illion
doses of t1e WNV $accine 1a$e %een ad4inistered o$er t1e last fe0 &ears and t1e co4pan& t1at
produces t1e $accine 1as reported t1at t1e& 1a$e recei$ed roug1l& >,> reports of pregnanc& loss
per 4illion doses used, Heep in 4ind t1at t1e West Nile $irus $accine is a killed $irus $accine6
01ic1 4eans t1at t1e $irus 1as %een killed prior to %eing placed in t1e $accine, Historicall&6 killed
$accines are e=tre4el& safe and are not prone to produce ad$erse reactions, 2SA5Gs ?enter for
Veterinar& Diologicals confir4ed t1at to date6 t1e& 1a$e recei$ed onl& a $er& s4all nu4%er of
reports regarding a possi%le association %et0een t1e use of West Nile $irus $accine and
a%ortions6 %irt1 defects6 or ot1er reproducti$e ano4alies or failures, T1e& 1a$e also reiterated t1at
t1e $accine is safe and effecti$e, Veterinar& diagnostic la%orator& representati$es 1a$e also
stated t1at neit1er a $eterinarian or diagnostic la%orator& e=a4ined t1e a%orting 4ares or
defor4ed foal t1at started t1is entire issue, 2nfortunatel&6 t1e specific cause of t1eir pro%le4 0ill
ne$er %e kno0n,
In 4aking t1e decision to use an& $accine or 4edical t1erap& it is i4portant to 0eig1 t1e pros and
cons of its ulti4ate %enefit to t1e 1orse, Dut t1at decision 4ust %e %ased on scientific fact6 not
ru4ors or e4otions, 5nd re4e4%er t1at if &our 4are a%orts or produces a still%orn or defor4ed
foal6 1a$e &our local $eterinarian e=a4ine t1e4 i44ediatel& to deter4ine t1e cause of t1e
pro%le4,
2ntil I see docu4ented6 scientific e$idence t1at t1e West Nile $irus $accine is causing pro%le4s6 I
0ill continue to use it and reco44end its use to 4& clients, I kno0 t1at 0it1out its protection6
1orses 0ill contract t1e disease and at least >0@ of t1e4 0ill die, I also encourage 1orse o0ners
and $eterinarians 0it1 <uestions regarding West Nile $irus $accine and t1eir pregnant 4ares or
ad$erse reactions follo0ing use of t1e $accine to contact t1e 2SA5Gs 5ni4al and Plant Inspection
Ser$ice ?enter for Veterinar& Diologicals at .;00/ (+*"8*++ or $ia t1eir 0e%site at
000,ap1is,usda,go$)$s)c$%,
posted' ;)1+)*00>, -ast updated' 3)B)*00>,

West Nile Virus 7 8acts and Pre9ention
)y By T:omas R+ ,en-. *VM. MS
#or updated infor4ation on t1e status of WNV6 $isit t1e 2SA5MNOs 0e%site at
000,ap1is,usda,go$, #or infor4ation a%out t1e WNV $accine6 $isit #ort Aodge 5ni4al Healt1 at
000,e<uine0estnile,co4,
West Nile Virus 0as first isolated fro4 1u4ans in 2ganda in 13>(6 01ere it caused encep1alitis
.infla44ation and s0elling of t1e %rain/, #ro4 t1ere it spread t1roug1out 5frica6 West 5sia6 t1e
iddle 7ast and 7urope and finall& reac1ed t1e 2nited States in 1333, En Septe4%er 1B of t1at
&ear6 t1e National Veterinar& Ser$ices -a%oratories of t1e 2,S, Aepart4ent of 5griculture isolated
t1e $irus fro4 tissues of sick fla4ingos and p1easants at t1e Dron= Poo and fro4 dead cro0s in
t1e Ne0 York ?it& area, In 13336 at least 8* people %eca4e seriousl& ill 0it1 t1e $irus6 and se$en
died, Since t1en6 WNV 1as rapidl& spread t1roug1out *( states and is graduall& 0orking
0est0ard,
Horses are affected %& WNV 4ore t1at ot1er do4estic ani4als, an& infected 1orses do not
de$elop illness6 %ut of t1e ;+ confir4ed cases t1at %eca4e ill in t1e 1333"*000 out%reak6 >* .>;
percent/ died or 0ere eut1ani:ed, Auring t1e *001 out%reak6 B18 1orses fro4 13 states 0ere
diagnosed 0it1 t1e disease6 and *B percent of t1ose died or 0ere eut1ani:ed,
-ike 7astern e<uine encep1alitis .777/ and Western e<uine encep1alitis .W77/6 t1e traditional
causes of sleeping sickness in t1e 2nited States6 t1e $irus is 1ar%ored in %irds and spread $ia
4os<uitoes to ot1er %irds6 people6 or 1orses, 5t least 1B species of 4os<uitoes in t1e 2nited
States can trans4it t1e $irus6 so it is likel& t1e disease 0ill continue to spread, ost %irds do not
de$elop illness after %eing infected %& a 4os<uito6 e=cept for cro0s and %lue Ka&s t1at often die,
Ao4estic c1ickens do not de$elop encep1alitis 01en infected6 %ut produce enoug1 $irus in t1eir
%lood to infect 4os<uitoes t1at in turn infect people or 1orses, Horses and 1u4ans are dead"end
1osts and cannot spread t1e disease, T1e $irus can onl& %e trans4itted fro4 infected %irds $ia
4os<uitoes,
T1e $irus attacks t1e %rain and spinal cord6 so 1orses infected 0it1 WNV de$elop classic sleeping
sickness s&4pto4s t1at include loss of appetite6 fe$er6 0eakness6 i4paired $ision6 incoordination6
1ead pressing6 ai4less 0andering6 con$ulsions6 t1e ina%ilit& to s0allo06 circling6 co4a and deat1,
-ike all $iral infections6 anti%iotics are not effecti$e and t1erefore6 infected 1orses are pro$ided
intra$enous fluids and anti"infla44ator& drugs to decrease %rain s0elling, S&4pto4s of WNV are
si4ilar to ot1er diseases affecting t1e central ner$ous s&ste4 suc1 as ra%ies6 %otulis46 and
e<uine proto:oal 4&eloencep1alitis .7P/, T1erefore6 it is critical to call &our $eterinarian
i44ediatel& if &our 1orse e=1i%its s&4pto4s of WNV,
5 nu4%er of t1ings can %e done to protect &our 1orse against WNV, En 5ugust 16 *001 a
conditional license 0as issued %& 2SA5MNOs ?enter for Veterinar& Diologics for an e<uine WNV
$accine, ?onditional licensing 4eans' .a/ t1at t1e product is safe6 pure and 1as a reasona%le
e=pectation of efficac& in pre$enting illness caused %& WNVC .%/ eac1 state $eterinarian 4ust
appro$e its use in 1is or 1er stateC and .c/ its use is restricted to $eterinarians, ?ontact &our local
$eterinarian if &ou 0ant &our 1orses $accinated, If t1e $accine is a$aila%le for use in &our state6 it
s1ould %e ad4inistered in t0o intra4uscular doses6 t1ree to si= 0eeks apart, Re4e4%er t1at
1orses $accinated against 7astern6 Western6 and Vene:uelan e<uine encep1alitis are not
protected against WNV,
Et1er 4easures can %e taken to pre$ent infected 4os<uitoes fro4 %iting &ou or &our 1orses,
os<uitoes %reed in stagnant 0ater6 so dispose of an& 0ater"1olding container suc1 as tires6 tin
cans or plastic containers, ?lean clogged roof gutters and turn o$er plastic 0ading pools or
01eel%arro0s 01en not in use, T1oroug1l& clean li$estock 0atering troug1s 4ont1l&, If t1atMNOs
not practical6 place goldfis1 or 4inno0s in t1e tank to feed on t1e 4os<uito lar$a %efore t1e&
1atc1, Heep 1orses indoors during peak 4os<uito acti$it& periods .dusk and da0n/, Screen stalls
.if possi%le/ or at least install fans o$er t1e 1orses to 1elp deter 4os<uitoes, 5$oid turning on
lig1ts inside t1e sta%le during t1e e$ening or o$ernig1t, Decause 4os<uitoes are attracted to lig1t6
placing incandescent %ul%s around t1e peri4eter of t1e sta%le 0ill attract 4os<uitoes a0a& fro4
t1e 1orses, -ig1ts can also %e used to dra0 4os<uitoes to electric %ug :appers, Re4o$e %irds6
including c1ickens6 li$ing in or close to t1e sta%le, Not all insect repellents or foggers are effecti$e
against 4os<uitoes6 so read t1e la%el %efore using6 and follo0 directions, Decause WNV can
affect 1u4ans as 0ell as 1orses6 donMNOt forget to take actions to protect &ourself as 0ell, W1en
outdoors in t1e e$ening 0ear clot1ing t1at co$er &our skin and appl& plent& of 4os<uito repellent,
WNV is a relati$el& ne0 t1reat to 2,S, 1orses, -ike all diseases6 pre$ention is ke&6 so ask &our
local $eterinarian to reco44end additional pre$ention,
posted' 3)1()*00*, -ast updated' 8)1+)*008,