Second Case of Equine West Nile Virus in 2017 Confirmed

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.

“Mosquito season can go into October or the first time we get a cold frost. We’re not out of the woods yet. I can almost guarantee that there will be more reported cases of West Nile Virus in horses this year.”

Both horses, one an 8-year-old quarter horse mare, the other a 10-year-old quarter horse, are doing better with treatment.

Horse owners can get still a vaccination though it will be less effective at this late date and the best time to do it is in the spring but Louisell said there are things you can do.

“Remove stagnant water sources or for those with barn facilities, keep your horse inside during the time of day that insects are feeding. You can also use equine approved mosquito repellants and you can put a fan in your barn to get air movement to keep the mosquitos away.”

The most active times of day for mosquitos are usually at dawn and dusk.

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