Disease Info

West Nile Virus is a disease that primarily infects birds. It is spread from bird to bird by mosquitoes. On occasion a mosquito that has fed on an infected bird will later feed on, and infect, a person or a horse.

West Nile Virus was first detected in North America in New York City in 1999. It quickly spread across the continental US and is now endemic to the continent.

West Nile Virus can cause illness in many organisms, and people are no exception. Although 80% of those who are infected do not get sick, about 1 in 5 will develop West Nile Fever and the symptoms can include:

· Fever

· Headache

· Body-aches

· Fatigue/weakness

· Swollen glands

· Minor loss of coordination

· Rash on trunk of body

About 1 in 150 will develop a more serious case of

West Nile Encephalitis which also includes:

· Loss of coordination

· Memory loss or confusion

· Paralysis (partial or full)

A blood test is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

The elderly and those with otherwise weakened immune systems are most at risk for more severe illness.

For more complete information on West Nile Virus, visit the CDC website.

About 1 in 3 horses that are infected with West Nile Virus die from the disease. Those that do not die are severely sickened and may or may not make a full recovery.

The symptoms of Equine West Nile Encephalitis include:

· Weakness, especially of the hind end

· Stumbling

· Down, difficulty getting back up without help

· Do not like being touched around the head

· Muscle and/or muzzle twitches

· Mild fever

· Tired or not wanting to move quickly

Vaccine

A vaccine is available for horses & will prevent sickness in most cases. Zoos have experimented with it to protect their birds.

The vaccine must be given in advance of infection & requires a 2^nd dose 3 weeks after the first dose to become effective. A yearly booster is needed to maintain protection. It is suggested that horses be fully vaccinated before April & the beginning of mosquito season.

As with any vaccine, there is the remote possibility of an adverse reaction and you should consult with your veterinarian.

For more complete information visit the USDA’s website.

Other Animals

West Nile Virus has been found to infect many different animals from dogs and cats to alligators. In most cases, it is not fatal for domestic pets or livestock unless there are pre-existing medical conditions. For more information on documented cases of WNV in different animals, the USDA has a list of articles.

West Nile Virus and Wild Game/Meat (From CDC Website)

Q. Is there a risk of getting infected with West Nile virus (WNV) if I eat turkey or another animal that has been infected with the virus?
A. There is no evidence that people can become infected with WNV from eating infected meat. The small, theoretical risk of infection can be eliminated by proper handling and thorough cooking of meat before it is consumed.

Several well-known and potentially serious food-borne illnesses can occur when turkey and other meats are improperly handled or undercooked. For more information on food safety, please see: http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/

Q. What is known about the risk of West Nile virus infection from dried, uncooked meat (jerky)?
A. There are no published studies that directly address this question. Most studies indicate that while mammals can become infected with West Nile virus, they do not develop high concentrations of virus in their blood or tissues. Although it is unlikely that dried meat from mammals would have much virus present, and probable that gastrointestinal digestion would further limit the possibility of infectiousness, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether dried meat presents a risk of West Nile virus infection to humans or other animals.

If you have questions about this topic it may be advisable to contact local wildlife authorities and/or health authorities to find out whether the area where the animal was harvested has West Nile virus activity, and whether animals of the species in question were affected.

Q. Are duck and other wild game hunters at risk for West Nile virus infection?
A. Because of their outdoor exposure, game hunters may be at risk if they are bitten by mosquitoes in areas with West Nile virus activity. The extent to which West Nile virus may be present in wild game is unknown.

Q. What should wild game hunters do to protect against West Nile virus infection?
A. Hunters should follow the usual precautions when handling wild animals. If they anticipate being exposed to mosquitoes, they should apply insect repellent to clothing and skin, according to label instructions, to prevent mosquito bites. Hunters should wear gloves when handling and cleaning animals to prevent blood exposure to bare hands and meat should be cooked thoroughly.

Q. Who should wild game hunters contact for information about the risk for West Nile virus infection in specific geographic areas?
A. Hunters should check with their local area department of wildlife and naturalist resources, state epidemiologist at the state health department, or the US Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI, 608-270-2400 for information on local area risk.