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Join the fight against the West Nile Virus

Horse News
 

  · Texas      
   counties     
   reporting    
   West Nile    
   virus in     
   horses:      
   Harris,      
   Austin,      
   Brazoria,    
   Jefferson,   
   Montgomery,  
   Orange and   
   Waller.      
                
                
   · Florida    
   counted more 
   than 600     
   horse cases  
   of West Nile 
   last fall,   
   and its      
   horse        
   population   
   is one-fifth 
   the size of  
   Texas' horse 
   population.  
 

The Mosquito Terminator at the horse stalls.

What is happening to the horses?

By LEIGH HOPPER
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Medical Writer

BEAUMONT -- First came the stumbling gait, the horse's left front hoof
crossing over the right, like a drunk trying to walk a straight line.


As the horse's brain swelled, his rear legs buckled, which causes some
animals to sit on their hindquarters like dogs. In the final stage, the
14-year-old gelding flopped over on his side, hooves uselessly paddling the
air.


The horse, pastured on the west side of Beaumont, was one of the first in
Texas to die of West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne disease that causes brain
inflammation in birds, humans and horses. State agencies have confirmed 16
horse infections since the illness was first identified in June, but
experts believe the numbers are much higher.


"I've never seen this many neurological cases appear at the same time,
ever," said Beaumont-area veterinarian Harvey Schneiter, who recounted
treating the animal and ultimately euthanizing it with an injection. "We
were concerned about (West Nile virus) coming."


Despite the high-rises and highways, Southeast Texas is undeniably horse
country, and West Nile is striking at its heart. Texas has an estimated 1.2
million horses, hundreds of thousands of them living in mosquito-prone
areas of the state. Last fall, Florida counted more than 600 horse cases of
West Nile virus.


Texas horses are vulnerable to a number of diseases that affect the nervous
system, including Eastern equine encephalitis (also spread by mosquitoes)
and an infection caused by a herpes virus. West Nile is making a yearly
problem worse.


"This is just the tip of the iceberg. We can anticipate many more cases.
It's going to be with us and continue to spread, especially throughout the
unvaccinated population," said Terry Conger, epidemiologist with the Texas
Animal Health Commission. "The main thing (we're) recommending is
vaccination and wherever possible mosquito control."
 

Do something now, let Mosquito Terminator help you fight the West Nile virus.