newjerseynewsroom.com

First reported case of 2011, no danger to humans

An 11-year-old mare from Monmouth County has tested positive for West Nile Virus, state Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said Wednesday. The mare was not vaccinated against the disease.

“We urge horse owners to vaccinate their animals from serious mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis,” Fisher said. “We have found that animals that are vaccinated are less likely to contract these deadly diseases.”

The state Department of Environmental Protection reports that the high levels of rain experienced statewide due to Hurricane Irene on Aug. 28, and subsequent storms have resulted in higher than normal mosquito populations. The DEP said floodwater throughout the state created habitat for the types of mosquitoes which utilize semi-permanent, standing water for larval development.

Horses contract West Nile Virus, a viral disease that affects horses’ neurological systems, when infected mosquitoes bite them. The disease cannot be spread from horse to horse or from an infected horse to humans or domestic pets.

The Monmouth County horse first showed symptoms of the virus on Oct. 10 and is being treated for the disease. It is the first reported case this year.

No cases of another mosquito-borne illness of horses, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, have been reported in horses in 2011. Equine encephalitis is a serious disease that causes inflammation of the brain tissue and has a significantly higher risk of death in horses than West Nile Virus infection.

In 2010, New Jersey had two cases of equine West Nile Virus and and one case of equine encephalitis. The three horses were euthanized.

For more information about the illnesses, visit the Department of Agriculture web site

– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM