West Nile Virus

SACRAMENTO -California's horse owners are being urged to make sure their animals are vaccinated following the confirmation of this year's first equine case of West Nile virus. The three-year-old quarter horse stallion from Tulare County died on July 4, and had not been vaccinated.

Last year, 456 horses in California were known to have contracted the disease, and 200 of them died.  In the great majority of those cases the horses either were not vaccinated or were vaccinated improperly.

"This case is a signal to all of our state's horse owners that West Nile is active again this year and vaccination is the best way to protect horses," said California State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer. "If your horses are not vaccinated or you are not sure of their status, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible to make sure your animals' vaccinations are current.

Warning! These links will take you outside of the University of California system.  The University does not explicitly or implicitly support the information that you may receive. 

California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) For more information www.cdfa.ca.gov or call the Equine West Nile Virus Inforamtion Line at 1-800-268-7378.  Questions can be emailed to CDFA at WNVirus@cdfa.ca.gov

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
Has posted many articles about West Nile Virus
http://www.google.com/u/ucdsvm?q=west+nile+virus

Do you have stock tanks? 
Mosquito fish are available from Lake County Vector Control
Call 263-4770 for more information.

West Nile Virus Information and Dead Bird Reporting
Call Toll Free:
877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473)
Website: http://www.westnile.ca.gov 

Reducing Risks Around Your Home: Mosquito-borne Diseases in California
Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California
www.mvcac.org