What is the status of WEST NILE VIRUS in Kittitas County, what are the symptoms, and how do I protect against it?
As of 10/26/09 there have been 15 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in horses in Kittitas County and at least 6 have been terminal. There are undoubtedly more cases that were not confirmed. For symptoms see YouTube WNV Clinical Signs on our internet links page. Stumbling, walking aimlessly, nose/lip/facial and ear twitching, shaking and not being able to get up have all been noted. To protect against the disease horses should be vaccinated. If they have had a two-dose series in the past and an annual booster the protection rate is very good. If they have had vaccination for West Nile in the past but not this year a booster now should work well. For horses that have never received a vaccination for West Nile it is not too late. A single-dose vaccine called Prevenile will give protection 10 days after injection. Serious illness from West Nile virus is rare in vaccinated horses. As of 9/1/09 all of the terminal cases in Kittitas County have been unvaccinated horses and no illness has bee
