West Nile Virus

We may be month away from the intense heat of the summer, but the Washington state Department of Agriculture said the time of year to get your horses vaccinated against West Nile virus is now, before the season starts in earnest.  Dr. Ben Smith, WSDA veterinarian, said there are two initial vaccinations to start, that are given about a month apart.  He...

2017 as far as West Nile Virus cases are concerned was a fairly light year.  According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the virus was confirmed in nine horses statewide this year.  That’s far less than the 27 cases recorded in 2016.   Why th...

Washington State University has confirmed a second horse has been infected with West Nile Virus, the first in the Four Lakes area and the second was detected in Spokane late last week.   Mike Louisell with the Washington State Department of Agriculture said this year the first cases are later than the first cases last year, but don’t get too comfortable yet.   “Mosqu...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is urging horse owners to vaccinate their animals as soon as possible to protect against West Nile Virus.   “Unfortunately, Washington state often leads the nation in the number equine cases of West Nile Virus,” said Washington State University's Dr. Susan Kerr.  ...

Washington State University will host a webinar Wednesday to explain and discuss three equine diseases that have been in the news lately.  University Veterinarian and Equine Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Jen Gold says they will go in detail, over West Nile Virus, Equine Herpes Virus and EPN.  Sh...

The Oregon Department of Agriculture says a Deschutes County horse in Oregon has been confirmed to have West Nile virus.   The 14-year old horse had no history of vaccinations.   State Veterinarian Brad LeaMaster is using the opportunity to remind horse owners to vaccinate their horses against West Nile noting, “Horses become infected with the virus the same way humans become infected, by being bi

The first human case of West Nile Virus for 2016 has been confirmed in Benton County.  The unidentified Benton County woman in her 70s has been diagnosed with West Nile virus infection.  West Nile is a bird illness that can spread to humans and other animals via mosquito bites.   ...

The Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed a mare in Grandview as the first horse to contract Wed Nile Virus this year.  The WSDA saID the two year old Andalusian mix was not vaccinated for the disease and is showing neurological signs of the illness including stumbling and difficulties eating.  Th...

Franklin County officials have confirmed the a mosquito has tested positive for the West Nile Virus.  The bug was trapped in the Pasco area.  According to the Washington Department of Health, this is the fifth time this year a Central Washington mosquito has tested positive for West Nile.  The oth...

According to Grant County officials a mosquito has tested positive for West Nile Virus.  This marks the first positive test for Grant County this year.  Officials said this positive sample is an indication that West Nile is present in the area.  The fir...