State urges horse owners to vaccinate for EEE, WNV

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The New York Department of Agriculture is urging horse owners in several counties to vaccinate their horses against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV), which spread through bites from an infected mosquito. Additionally, officials suggest that New Yorkers take precautions to protect themselves against the viruses.

Clinton, Franklin, Orange, Ulster, and Washington Counties have documented cases of EEE in horses. The viruses have the potential to kill unvaccinated horses, and there's no cure for EEE or WNV.

Symptoms of EEE in horses include staggering, circling, depression, loss of appetite, fever, and blindness. Signs of WNV not only consist of EEE symptoms but additionally lethargy, hind quarter weakness, stumbling, lack of awareness, head tilt and twitching, convulsions, circling, partial paralysis, and coma.

Veterinarians around the state were made aware of the cases and may recommend that horse owners vaccinate their animals once a year or every six months if the horse is exposed to the viruses year-round.

The viruses can't be spread from infected equine to people, but people can still contract the virus by infected mosquito bites. Anyone spending extensive time outside should protect themselves from mosquito bites since there's no cure for human infection.

Anyone with horses displaying symptoms of EEE or WNV should contact the State Department of Agriculture and Markets' Division of Animal Industry at (518) 457-3502. State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball said vaccinating horses annually is the best practice for healthy equine.

"A simple vaccination can go a long way toward protecting horses against mosquito-borne diseases," Ball said. "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."

Prevention methods

• Draining and monitoring for standing water where mosquitos can breed.
• Using insect repellant as directed on the label.
• Moving animals from spaces infested with mosquitos at dawn and dusk.