West Nile season here; vets urge caution

Idaho gears up for another serious year

Desirai Schild
Freelance Writer

April 13, 2007

BLACKFOOT - Doctors and veterinarians are concerned about another West Nile virus epidemic here this year.

"I don't have a crystal ball to predict how it will be in 2007," said Jeff Doer, Southeastern District Health Department epidemiologist. "But I can tell you the health department has been gearing up for another serious year of the virus."

Idaho reported 996 documented human WNV cases and 338 equine cases, making it the state that reported the most cases in 2006.

"With all the cases I saw and all the deaths that occurred in horses last year, I don't see how anyone can find an excuse for not vaccinating their horses," said Dr. Rex Gillespie, Cottonwood Veterinary Clinic, Blackfoot. "You'd think they'd rather spend $20 on vaccine than $800 on treatment or the expense of the loss of a horse. And there were several losses last year."

Dr. Jason Moulton, Animal Health Clinic, Blackfoot, agreed.

"Getting a horse vaccinated against WNV is just about the most important thing you can do for the animal," he said. "After all the cases we saw last year, there can be no doubt it's here."

The veterinarians said infected horses are in a great deal of pain. The virus causes severe headache, loss of muscle control, staggering, nervous ticks and spasms and profound discomfort. For many, the result is death.

"It seems like if we can keep them on their feet they have a chance," Gillespie said. "If they go down, they usually don't get up again."

He said the infected horse's physical condition and general health prior to infection can impact its ability to recover. Old, sick or weak animals have much less chance of survival if infected.

Bingham County reported 44 equine cases of WNV in 2006, second only to Canyon County with 49, according to the National Animal Health Surveillance System. Ada County came in third with 41. Both Twin Falls and Bannock counties reported 22.

"I expect to see other counties hit as hard this year as Bingham County was last year," Moulton said. "Hopefully, the 2006 tragedies will get people to be more proactive this year."

Most counties have instituted mosquito abatement programs such as spraying larvae and draining the insects' breeding grounds. The health department is offering education in abatement for the average citizen.

"Standing water, like in bird baths, should be changed every few days," Doer said. "People should use DEET, and have on long-sleeved shirts and long pants if they are going to be out in the prime mosquito times like dawn and dusk. There is no vaccine to protect humans from the virus so they need to protect themselves from being bitten."

Mosquitoes are the vector that transfer WNV from infected birds to humans and animals. The virus incubates in infected birds, mosquitoes bite the birds and transmit the virus when they next feed on humans and animals. The virus cannot be transmitted by contact between one human or animal and another.

"There is a great vaccine to prevent horses from getting WNV and preventing the horrible suffering the horses go through," Gillespie said. "There is no reason for responsible owners not to take advantage of this and protect their animal."

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