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REGION: Horse dies of West Nile Virus
Death is first among equines in California this year
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A 15-year-old quarter horse gelding died recently in Corona of complications from the West Nile virus, making it the first equine fatality from the disease in California this year, a state Department of Food and Agriculture spokesman said in a news release Tuesday.
West Nile virus emerged prolifically in California in 2004 when 540 equine cases were reported, according to the release. Since then, the number of reported cases dropped significantly with 58 in 2006 and 28 in 2007. The virus infects birds and then is spread to humans and horses by mosquitoes.
The department urges horse owners to keep their animals current with their West Nile vaccinations, prevent the growth of mosquito populations near their animals and to watch for signs of infection. Symptoms in animals include stumbling, loss of coordination, muscle twitching, circling and an inability to stand, the release states.
Signs of human infection include flu-like symptoms. More information on West Nile virus in horses is available at www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/wnv_info.htm.
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