WSDA: Vaccinate Now Against West Nile

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.

Kerr acknowledged not everyone will get the vaccination, but she said that’s risking the health of your horse as well as others.  Last year, there were 27 confirmed cases of equine West Nile in Washington.  Seven horses died or were euthanized as a result.

In 2015, there were 36 confirmed cases statewide.  Dr. Kerr says the West Nile vaccine has proven to be effective, but owners can’t delay immunization.  She said the horse’s body needs time to react to the vaccination.

“You can’t vaccinate, say it August which is the height of mosquito season and expect good immunity then.  You need to vaccinate now, make sure the animals have good immunity so, then when the risk of West Nile Virus transmission through mosquitoes happens all through the summer, they are ready,” Dr. Kerr told the Washington Ag Network.

Last year, West Nile Cases in Horses were reported in Benton, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Spokane, Steven, and Yakima counties.

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