Brought to you by Merck Animal Health, the Official Animal Heath Care Provider of the USEA.
Flowers aren’t the only thing in bloom. With many parts of the country experiencing a mild winter, mosquito populations may be particularly abundant this spring. That means an increased risk of your horse contracting West Nile virus (WNV). Now is the time to think about prevention.
West Nile virus remains the leading cause of arbovirus encephalitis in horses and humans in the United States. Transmitted by mosquitoes that can infect horses and humans, WNV has been detected in horses in all 48 continental states, as well as most of Canada and Mexico.
Thanks to vaccination, the number of annual WNV cases in horses has declined significantly since the disease first appeared in the United States in 1999; however, the threat remains and we cannot become complacent with vaccination. In 2016, 377 equine cases of West Nile virus (WNV) were reported from 32 States – that’s 152 more cases than in 2015.[1] That means more than 300 horse owners had to watch their horse suffer through this unforgiving disease, with some losing the battle.
There are many reasons WNV is a core vaccine recommendation[2] for all horses:
Consult your veterinarian immediately if you see any of these signs in your horse:
Ask any veterinarian and they’ll tell you there is nothing more heartbreaking than watching an animal suffer from a disease that could have been prevented through a simple vaccination. Don’t let your spring get interrupted by an infectious disease such as WNV. Talk to your veterinarian today. For more information, visit GetVaccinatingRight.com.
[1] USDA APHIS 2016 Summary of West Nile Virus Equine Cases in the United States. February 2017.
[2] AAEP Vaccination Guidelines (www.aaep.org.)
[3] Wilson JH, Davis A, Bender JB, Minicucci, LA. Residual Effects of West Nile Viral Encephalomyelitis in Horses. In: 49th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, 2003, New Orleans, Louisiana, (Ed.)
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
Let the countdown to the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event officially begin! Entries for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-L went live today and showcase some of the world’s best horses and riders. In total, 47 pairs are entered in the five-star competition with the bulk of the entries being made up U.S. competitors with 30 entries in the field.
Eventing is on an upswing in Area IX with the addition of Mile High Horse Ranch Horse Trials in Parker, Colorado. The inaugural event will run from July 6-7 this summer. Started and organized by Mile High Horse Ranch owner Vanda Werner, the event will feature Starter through Training levels.
John Lennon famously said that life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. Rebecca Barber Tyler probably would agree.