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6-25-2004 |
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"Any symptomatic horses should have blood drawn and those samples should be submitted along with the appropriate paperwork," said Commissioner Douglass. "This will ensure that our efforts to track the extent of this disease will be as effective as possible." WVDA's Animal Health Division faxed or e-mailed the forms to all veterinarians in the state, according to State Veterinarian Joe Starcher. Any veterinarian who has not received a form should call 304-558-2214 to request one. Symptoms of West Nile Virus in horses include staggering, depression, apprehension, muscle twitching and loss of coordination. Owners of horses exhibiting such symptoms should contact their local veterinarian to take samples. The veterinarians should submit those samples to the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), which is analyzing suspected West Nile samples for the first time this year. "Having DHHR run the samples in-state is a large step in our efforts to combat West Nile Virus," said Dr. Starcher. "Before, the samples had to be shipped out of state and frequently landed on the bottom of someone else's to-do list. Now, we can have a faster turnaround and better utilization of state personnel." Dr. Starcher added that WVDA personnel will assist DHHR with follow-up
sampling of symptomatic horses. Contact: Buddy Davidson The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
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