b'Arizona Ask the VetREAL WEST NILE VIRUS 101COUNTRY hoenix was recentlyinfection or disease the magazine P ranked as theall of the time.11th worst city forHowever, excluding mosquitoes in 2019, with athose animals that do end signicant increase in the mosquitoup being fully Mike Barna population in the West Valley this year compared toprotected 2018. Additionally, there is a signicant increase in thefrom Publisher number of mosquitoes that are carrying the West Niledisease, ArizonaRealCountryMagazine@gmail.com virus. Thus far in 2019, there have been 68 positivethe main benefit of samples for West Nile; in all of 2018, there were onlyvaccinating is that seven positive samples. in the uncommon Erika Smith Royal event that your Editor West Nile virus (WNV) is found most often in birdsanimal isnt and is spread to other birds, animals, and occasionallycompletely erika963realcountry@gmail.com humans by mosquitoes that have fed on infectedprotected, birds. WNV is similar to other mosquito-bornethe form of disease that does end up manifesting is viruses commonly found in Arizona such as the St.much milder and responsive to supportive veterinary Misty Voitovski Louis virus and the Western equine virus. WNVcare (anti-inflammatory medications, antivirals, free Creative Director is feared most for its threat of the rare, but seriousradical scavengers). This is undeniably associated with and sometimes fatal illness West Nile encephalitisa much better prognosis for recovery with minimal (swelling of brain tissue). Even in areas where Westside effects or deficits of neurologic function than Contributing Writers Nile virus is circulating, few mosquitoes are actuallythose animals that were unvaccinated and completely infected with the virus. However, once mosquitoes arenaive. The vaccines that we use now generally only Lee Anderson, Bethany Braley,infected, they may transmit the disease by biting birds,cause a little muscle soreness in the neck and may Justin Legler, Charlie LeSueur,animals, and humans. result in a little lethargy and being off for a couple of Jim Olson, Bill Roberts,days but this is no different than what happens to you While at one time WNV was limited to the Easternor me when we get our annual flu vaccine.Alan Rockman, Bob Roloff,Hemisphere it is now considered endemic in North, Hank Sheffer, Buddy Uldrikson,Central and South America having been introducedHorses vaccinated in past years need an annual booster to the United States in 1999. WNV is primarilyshot, but veterinarians might recommend two boosters Michele Wilson transmitted by mosquitoes which are typically mostannuallyone in the spring and another in the fallin active at dusk and dawn and in shaded areas withareas with prolonged mosquito seasons. In contrast, available standing water in the surrounding area topreviously unvaccinated horses require a two-shot serve as breeding grounds. The mosquito feeds onvaccination series in a three- to six-week period. Full 801 W. Wickenburg Way an infected reservoir host and subsequently bitesimmunity takes several weeks to achieve.and transmits the infection to horses or humans. Wickenburg, AZ 85390 Thus WNV is an infectious disease but not a directlyThe second facet to controlling WNV is controlling the transmissible contagious disease between horses ormosquito vectors that transmit the disease.Eliminating (602) 254-6644 between people who are dead-end hosts. The termsources of standing water to prevent breeding grounds dead-end hosts means that the infected individuals dofor mosquitoes from forming is crucial. That means ArizonaRealCountry.com not carry enough viral particles in their blood or bodydumping, cleaning, and relling water buckets and secretions to transmit the disease back to mosquitostroughs regularly. Maintaining waterers in a clean or to other adjacent animals. Typically, therefore,and operational manner is also important. From WNV infection is only associated with a mosquitoa management standpoint, applying fly sprays and having taken a blood meal from an infected bird. Onceturning your horses out during periods when mosquito a horse or human is infected with the virus, there isactivity is minimal during the day is recommended. approximately a 5-15 day incubation period before theFans providing constant airflow through a stable can disease manifests.The course of the disease and thehelp reduce the ability of the insects to fly to their outcome depend on the vaccination status of the animaltargets effectively. Avoid turning on lights inside Follow Arizona Realand individual susceptibility factors. The key to controlthe stable during the evening or overnight. Because of WNV is a two-pronged approach. mosquitoes are attracted to light, placing incandescent Country for news, events,bulbs around the perimeter of the stable will attract Firstly, there are a number of safe, clinically efficaciousmosquitoes away from the horses. Lights can also giveaways and more! vaccines available on the market. Around the time ofbe used to draw mosquitoes to electric bug zappers. the original introduction of this disease back in 1999,Cleaning up manure and debris around the property is some horse owners reported that the vaccines usedimperative. Because WNV can affect humans as well as then had some significant associated complications orhorses, dont forget to take actions to protect yourself Arizona Real Country is owned andhad been a little on the hot side with some horsesas well. When outdoors in the evening, wear clothing published by Barna Broadcastingdeveloping clinical signs of disease. Nearly 20 yearsthat covers your skin and apply plenty of mosquito LLC. No person, organization or partyhave passed since those early vaccines were beingrepellent. By following these general guidelines, you can copy or reproduce the contenthastily developed to prevent loss of life in response tocan minimize the likelihood of a signicant exposure or on our website and/or magazine ora newly emerging disease threat. Vaccine technologyoccurrence of WNV in both your horses and potentially has since advanced and many refinements to theyour family members or yourself.any part of this publication withoutvaccine strains and ingredients to stimulate the bodys a written consent from the editorsimmune response to the vaccine used have occurredWest Nile has no cure; however, some horses can panel and the author of the content, asmaking them very safe with minimal side effects. Atrecover with supportive care. Equine mortality rates can applicable. The publisher, authors andthis point in time, there is absolutely no scientificallyreach 30-40%. Of horses that recover from the disease, contributors reserve their rights withjustifiable reason not to vaccinate your horse. It isup to 40 percent may exhibit neurological signs for six regards to copyright of their work. true that no vaccine regardless of the disease beingmonths or more after the initial diagnosis. vaccinated against, on the market today, whether it be for humans or animals is 100% effective in preventingNot all infected horses show clinical signs, but those continued on page 7ArizonaRealCountry.com September 2019 5'