Dear Clients,

We are seeing an increase in the number of West Nile Virus cases at Littleton Equine Medical Center this year and we urge you to make sure that your horses are up to date on their vaccinations, including West Nile Virus.

• West Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquitos and causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord in people, equines, birds, and rarely other animals.
• Signs of West Nile Virus in horses include incoordination (stumbling), muscle twitching, weakness, and fever. It can be fatal in some cases.
• Horses cannot transmit the virus to people or other animals.
• There is a vaccine available for West Nile Virus in horses.
• We urge you to make sure that your horse received his or her spring vaccinations – both 4-way and 5-way vaccines protect against West Nile Virus.
• The virus peaks in late summer in nature, resulting in the greatest time of risk.
• West Nile Virus vaccine protection is generally 9-10 months, therefore if your horse was vaccinated against WNV in the spring, he or she should be protected through the fall.
• Please take precautions to eliminate standing water where mosquitos breed, use insect repellent, and avoid turnout at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Please take care to follow these precautions for yourself, too!
• If you have any questions about West Nile Virus in horses or to schedule vaccinations for your horse, please contact your veterinarian.
• For more information see: https://aaep.org/issue/west-nile-virus