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News Release 8-27-2002 |
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WEST NILE VIRUS DETECTED IN SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA; AGRICULTURE
COMMISSIONER URGES VIGILANCE West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass has announced
that a single, isolated case of West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected
in a horse in Southern, W.Va. “Although the disease can be
contracted by humans, it is only considered to be a threat to the
young, old and other persons with weak immune systems, ” said
Commissioner Douglass. “However, the disease can be particularly
damaging to horses, sometimes resulting in death.” “I am again asking horse farmers to be especially vigilant.
Our birds are the sentinels for the West Nile Virus. For some reason,
horses are hit especially hard,” said Commissioner Douglass.
“An infected horse may exhibit the following WNV symptoms:
Abnormal use of their hind limbs, (loss of balance, generalized
or limb muscle weakness), depression, apprehensiveness, muscle twitching,
and/or falling down (inability to stand). If symptoms are detected,
farmers are urged to contact their personal veterinarian. Treatment
is limited to symptoms only, but can be lifesaving if started early
enough.” Commissioner Douglass added that farmers may wish to consider vaccinating
their animals against eastern and western equine encephalitis and
rabies because these diseases can be mistaken for WNV. Experts recommend eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed,
especially around houses and barns. “Last year, Commissioner Douglass approved a conditional license
for the West Nile vaccine,” said State Veterinarian Lewis Thomas.
“Few treatments are effective once a horse contracts the virus,
so owners should strongly consider asking their local veterinarian
about vaccination.” Commissioner Douglass concluded with, “Birds, equine and humans
can contract the disease, but there is no evidence to suggest that
they can transmit it to uninfected animals. WNV in humans typically
produces flu-like symptoms and is seldom fatal.” For more information about WNV, visit the WVDHHR's WNV site (http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/oehp/sdc/westnile.htm). For more information on the WVDA, contact Buddy Davidson, Communications Officer, 304/558-3708 or bdavidson@ag.state.wv.us.
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©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
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