People of Northwest Public Radio West Nile Case Fri August 24,
2012 Oregon Reports One Horse Infected With West Nile Virus A
horse in Klamath County has tested positive for West Nile virus.
It’s the first reported case in a mammal in Oregon this year.
Amelia Templeton of Earthfix reports. West Nile Virus is carried
by mosquitos and flares up in the summer and fall. The U.S. is
in the middle of a particularly severe outbreak: West Nile has
infected more than 1000 people, and killed 41, mostly in Texas.
So far, the outbreak has been minimal in the Northwest. No cases
in Washington. A couple in Idaho. Oregon health officials
haven’t confirmed any human cases. But the virus has killed one
horse. Brad LeaMaster, the state veterinarian, says there isn’t
a vaccine against West Nile for humans. But there is a vaccine
that protects horses. LeaMaster: “If the horse hasn’t had that
yearly booster, than it’s still not too late to get that vaccine
and increase their protection for their horse.” People can
minimize the ris