How do the horses become infected with West Nile virus?
The same way humans become infected – by the bite of infectious mosquitoes while biting to take blood. The virus is located in the mosquito’s salivary glands. During blood feeding, the virus is injected into the blood system of the horse. The virus then multiplies and may cause illness. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds or other animals.
A. Horses become infected with WNV by the bites of infectious mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. When an infected mosquitoes feeds on a horse, the virus is injected through salivary fluids into the blood system. The virus multiplies in the horse and may cause illness in 5 to 15 days. Q. Can my horse transmit West Nile virus to me or to other horses? A. There is no evidence that horses can transmit WNV to other horses, birds, or people. However, follow veterinary infection control precautions when caring for a horse suspected to have this or any viral infection.
A. The same way humans become infected, by the bite of infectious mosquitoes while biting to take blood. The virus is located in the mosquito’s salivary glands. During the bloodmeal, the virus is injected into the blood system of the horse. The virus then multiplies and may cause illness. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds or other animals.
The same way humans become infectedby the bite of infectious mosquitoes. The virus is located in the mosquito’s salivary glands. When mosquitoes bite or “feed” on the horse, the virus is injected into its blood system. The virus then multiplies and may cause illness. The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds or other animals. How does the virus cause severe illness or death in horses? Following transmission by an infected mosquito, West Nile virus multiplies in the horse’s blood system, crosses the blood brain barrier, and infects the brain. The virus interferes with normal central nervous system functioning and causes inflammation of the brain. Can I get infected with West Nile virus by caring for an infected horse? West Nile virus is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes. There is no documented evidence of person-to-person or animal-to-person transmission of West Nile virus. Normal veterinary infection control precautions should be followed when caring for a hors
