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Post by TashGaia on Aug 25, 2008 17:37:52 GMT -5
Crossposting.... ---------------------------------------------------------- Today, the Zoonotic Disease Program received notification from Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Washington State Department of Agriculture that an eighth horse from Yakima County tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the ninth confirmed equine case of West Nile virus in Washington this year. The 25-year-old horse resided near Sunnyside. It had not been vaccinated for the past four years. Clinical progression of the disease was rapid and the horse was euthanized. The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the affected Local Health Jurisdiction have decided at this time not to issue a press release. As previously reported this week, 1 more mosquito sample from Benton County tested positive for West Nile virus, along with 2 more mosquito samples and 2 more horses from Yakima County. An asymptomatic human blood donor was also reported this week, however exact location of exposure could not be determined. See the West Nile Virus Web site ( www.doh.wa.gov/wnv) for news releases on positive blood donor and mosquito samples detected near West Richland. In summary, as of August 22, 9 horses and 18 mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus this year. All detections have been located in eastern Washington. Ron Wohrle DVM Environmental Health Veterinarian Zoonotic & Vector-borne Disease Program Office of Environmental Health & Safety Wa. Dept. of Health PO Box 47825 Olympia, Wa. 98504-7825 Desk: 360-236-3369 Fax: 360-236-2261 BB: 360-888-5098 ron.wohrle@... Physical Address: Town Center Bldg. 3 243 Israel Rd, Tumwater, Wa. 98501 Visit our ZD website @: www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/zoo.htm"Public Health - Always Working For a Safer and Healthier Washington" |
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Aug 25, 2008 18:12:32 GMT -5
Make sure you are vaccinating for WNV guys. It is becoming a real threat here in washington state.
Sara
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Post by chatty on Aug 25, 2008 21:42:06 GMT -5
Crossposting.... ---------------------------------------------------------- Today, the Zoonotic Disease Program received notification from Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Washington State Department of Agriculture that an eighth horse from Yakima County tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the ninth confirmed equine case of West Nile virus in Washington this year. The 25-year-old horse resided near Sunnyside. It had not been vaccinated for the past four years. Clinical progression of the disease was rapid and the horse was euthanized. The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the affected Local Health Jurisdiction have decided at this time not to issue a press release. As previously reported this week, 1 more mosquito sample from Benton County tested positive for West Nile virus, along with 2 more mosquito samples and 2 more horses from Yakima County. An asymptomatic human blood donor was also reported this week, however exact location of exposure could not be determined. See the West Nile Virus Web site ( www.doh.wa.gov/wnv) for news releases on positive blood donor and mosquito samples detected near West Richland. In summary, as of August 22, 9 horses and 18 mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus this year. All detections have been located in eastern Washington. Ron Wohrle DVM Environmental Health Veterinarian Zoonotic & Vector-borne Disease Program Office of Environmental Health & Safety Wa. Dept. of Health PO Box 47825 Olympia, Wa. 98504-7825 Desk: 360-236-3369 Fax: 360-236-2261 BB: 360-888-5098 ron.wohrle@... Physical Address: Town Center Bldg. 3 243 Israel Rd, Tumwater, Wa. 98501 Visit our ZD website @: www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/zoo.htm"Public Health - Always Working For a Safer and Healthier Washington" The 23 yo horse belonged to my sister in-law....When he went down she ask the Vet to test him... Please don't criticize her for no vaccination as she received the horse from a family member and right after her husband died...So this month is that anniversary and soooo many things are happening... Saw her Friday, thats when I found out about the horse...A very sad month for the family.... chatty |
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Post by cutiepiepmu on Aug 26, 2008 1:19:17 GMT -5
I certainly would not condem for not vaccinating with an older horse. I know MANY MANY people who have opted to not vaccinate for WNV till recently - and have chosen to not vaccinate older horses simply because of the reaction so many horses have had to the vaccination. I am sorry for the loss of their friend.
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Post by calypso on Aug 26, 2008 2:32:38 GMT -5
Sara - what sort of reactions? I had my girls vax'd a week ago, including WNV. Angel (est 12-15 years) had a systemic reaction - including mild ataxia - about 6 hours later. We treated with 3g bute that night, followed by 2g SID x 2 and she was fine. Of course AS I was on the phone with the vet I remembered she'd colic'd the last time she was vaxed. Didn't make the connection to the shots until then. (There were a number of other colic-worthy events that day!) Now I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do next time. One shot at a time, of course. And probably bute prophylatically. Any chance the symptoms are consistent with what you've heard/read about the WNV vax? I'm drowning in Feline Leukemia research and don't have the band width to research this myself right now. Besides, sounds like you already know.  Thanks! |
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Post by chatty on Aug 26, 2008 10:47:17 GMT -5
My sister in-law called last night...She had a very interesting Q: "beside birds, horses and humans...What other animals contract WNV ??"
I didn't have a answer...Does anyone out there know....
chatty
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Post by toeps on Aug 26, 2008 13:53:05 GMT -5
"It mainly infects birds, but is known to infect humans, horses, dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic rabbits. The main route of human infection is through the bite of an infected mosquito."
There is a wikipedia for EVERYTHING! ;D
Chatty, I'm sorry for the loss in your family, it seems it's been a tough one for you. Hugs.
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Post by swissgrl on Aug 26, 2008 14:14:58 GMT -5
I know on the website for the California Healthdepartment, it lists birds, horses, squirrels, and humans (of course Mosquitos), but it doesn't say anything about cats and dogs.
Is there a vaccine for them as well? I don't think I've ever vaccinated my dogs for WNV, and we do have it in my town. We just found a crow that tested for WNV a few weeks back in my front yard.
I agree, a lot of people opted not to vaccinate here either, all mine have been given their shots, none of them fortunately had any reaction.
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Post by TashGaia on Sept 9, 2008 13:34:47 GMT -5
Crossposting... ---------------------------------------------- The Zoonotic Disease Program received notification from Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Washington State Department of Agriculture that three more horses tested positive for West Nile virus. The horses were from Benton, Grant, and Yakima counties. Benton County Non-vaccinated, 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding - near Benton City. Euthanized. Grant County Non-vaccinated, 3-year-old Quarter horse mare - west of Moses Lake. Recovering. Yakima County A 31-year-old Arabian mare - near Yakima. Euthanized. The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the affected Local Health Jurisdiction have decided at this time not to issue a press release. In summary, as of September 4, 15 horses, 4 birds, and 22 mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus. All detections have been located in eastern Washington. Ron Wohrle DVM Environmental Health Veterinarian Zoonotic & Vector-borne Disease Program Office of Environmental Health & Safety Wa. Dept. of Health PO Box 47825 Olympia, Wa. 98504-7825 Desk: 360-236-3369 Fax: 360-236-2261 BB: 360-888-5098 ron.wohrle@... Physical Address: Town Center Bldg. 3 243 Israel Rd, Tumwater, Wa. 98501 Visit our ZD website @: www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/zoo.htm |
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NanciK
Super Pooper Scooper
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Post by NanciK on Sept 9, 2008 15:42:57 GMT -5
Thanks for this thread, it made me take a look at the California stats ... I had been tracking the stats a couple years ago, but hadn't checked recently until today ...
It's a good news story for California in terms of the number of WNV cases being drastically reduced between 2004 and 2008, obviously due to increased awareness on the part of Vets and owners. Unfortunately, the death rate is fairly high (40%), once a horse is infected.
That death rate is way too high to risk your horse getting infected. Take action ASAP, if you haven't already.
Don't let 1,000 horses die - like California did - before it got it's "act together"!
CALIFORNIA WNV STATS (TOTAL HORSES INFECTED)
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2008 12 (season to date)
2007 28
2006 57
2005 456
2004 536
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NanciK
Super Pooper Scooper
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Post by NanciK on Sept 9, 2008 16:14:20 GMT -5
PRESS RELEASE FROM CALIFORNIA AG DEPT: First Confirmed Case of West Nile Virus in Horses for 2008 Release #08-043 Horse owners reminded to keep vaccinations current June 24, 2008 - The first positive equine case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in California in 2008 has been reported in Riverside County. The affected horse, a 15-year-old quarter horse gelding, died of WNV disease complications. WNV is a mosquito–borne virus that was first detected in the United States in 1999 in the New York City area. It may cause a wide range of clinical illnesses from mild, “flu-like” symptoms to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) that may be fatal to both humans and horses. While horses are susceptible to WNV, many horses infected with the disease will not develop any illness and will recover uneventfully. Currently, there is no specific treatment for WNV. California became the focus for West Nile Virus in 2004 with 540 confirmed clinical equine cases. Over 40 percent of clinically affected horses died or were euthanized. However, in 2006 and 2007 there was a significant decrease in confirmed equine cases with 58 and 28 cases, respectively. Signs of West Nile Virus in horses include stumbling, staggering, loss of coordination, muscle twitching, circling, and inability to stand. Birds serve as the primary reservoir for harboring the disease. Mosquitoes transmit the disease to humans and horses after feeding on infected birds. Once infected, horses do not spread the disease to other humans or horses. The California Department of Food and Agriculture is urging horse owners to consult their veterinarian to ensure each horse is current on West Nile Virus vaccinations. It is also important to practice mosquito control methods to aid in reducing mosquito-breeding sites. For more information on West Nile Virus in horses, email WNVirus@cdfa.ca.gov or visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/wnv_info.htm. |
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