It's time for horse owners to vaccinate their animals against
Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus, two diseases
that together have stricken hundreds of horses in Wisconsin
since 2001. "We've had two major outbreaks of Eastern equine
encephalitis in Wisconsin in recent years. Last year we had 36
cases in horses, more than any other state," says State
Veterinarian Dr. Robert Ehlenfeldt of the Wisconsin Department
of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. "West Nile virus
case numbers are down dramatically from the first few years
after the disease arrived in Wisconsin, but that's not to say
there won't be an upswing. Both diseases are easily preventable
with an inexpensive vaccination." Horses require two doses of
the vaccination initially, and then boosters at least annually.
"We don't recommend administering the vaccinations yourself.
Work with your veterinarian, so you get the best formulation for
your horse and advice about additional boosters later in the
season," Ehlenfeldt says. Both WNV