Plan ahead to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus at your farm

Earlier this week, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary George Greig today urged horse owners to consult their veterinarians about options for West Nile Virus prevention before mosquito season begins.

“Animal health is a top industry priority, and I encourage horse owners to speak to their veterinarians about protecting their animals against encephalitic diseases like West Nile Virus,” said Greig.

Equine encephalitic diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes and cause inflammation of the brain. Mosquitoes become more active with warm weather in early spring.

Vaccines are available to help prevent West Nile Virus and other equine encephalitic diseases such as Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis. Vaccines are usually administered in February or March prior to mosquito season. Horse owners should talk with their veterinarians to determine the best time to start the vaccination process.

Horses vaccinated against Eastern, Western and Venezuelan equine encephalitis are not protected against West Nile Virus.

Greig cautioned that vaccination of horses is not a guarantee of protection against infection. The best way to prevent infection of West Nile Virus is to reduce the risk of exposure to mosquitoes by eliminating mosquito breeding sites. Important steps to be taken include:

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, buckets, ceramic pots or other
  unwanted water-holding containers on the property.
• Pay special attention to discarded tires, which are mosquito breeding
  sites.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.
  Containers with drainage holes located only on the sides collect enough
  water to act as mosquito breeding sites.
• Clean clogged roof gutters every year. Millions of mosquitoes can breed
  in roof gutters each season.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Empty and refill outdoor water troughs, buckets and birdbaths every few
  days so water does not stagnate.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens can
  become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools when not in use. Mosquitoes may
  breed in the water that collects on pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your
  property, especially near manure storage areas. Mosquitoes may breed in
  any puddle that lasts for more than four days.

Additional steps can be taken by horse owners to protect their horses:

• Reduce the number of birds in and around the stable area. Eliminate
  roosting areas in the rafters of the stable. Certain species of wild
  birds are the main reservoir for the virus.
• Check the property for dead birds, especially crows. Any suspicious
  birds should be reported online to www.westnile.state.pa.us or by
  calling the Department of Environmental Protection at 717-346-8238. Use
  gloves to handle dead birds and place the birds in plastic bags. If not
  submitting the bird for testing, the bagged bird can be placed in the
  trash. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after discarding the
  dead bird.
• Topical preparations containing mosquito repellents are available for
  horses. Read the product label before using.

For more information contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Health at 717-783-6897 or visit www.westnile.state.pa.us.