06/26/06 First 2006 equine West Nile virus case

06/26/06 First 2006 equine West Nile virus case

A horse in Elmore County has tested positive for West Nile virus. The Idaho Department of Agriculture says it's the first case in state this year of a disease that infected 13 people and 113 horses in 2005. West Nile is spread by mosquitoes. First discovered in New York City in 1999 it is continually spread westward ever since. 15 thousand horses were infected in 2002 but with vaccinations that number was cut to 11 hundred last year. The Elmore County case is a reminder of the importance to vaccinate horses. Almost all of the 113 horses diagnosed with the virus last year were not vaccinated. In Idaho the appearance of the equine cases has preceded cases in humans by three to four weeks. To protect yourself reduce standing water on your property that provides breeding habitat for mosquitoes. Properly apply insect repellent especially for children and avoid mosquitoes when they're most active at dawn and dusk. Report dead birds to your local Fish and Game office. At the Department of Ag website www.idahoag.us you'll find more prevention information. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott
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