Horse dies from West Nile virus

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture confirmed the first horse death attributed to West Nile Virus has occurred near Mountain Home.

"West Nile Virus (WNV) is a devastating threat to horses. This horse had no history of vaccination or booster shots which are essential to the prevention of this disease," said Dr. Clarence Siroky, Idaho State Veterinarian. "To date the state of Idaho has had a total of three cases of equine infected with WNV."

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture continue to stress the importance of having horses vaccinated against the disease that is transmitted to horses by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. Symptoms of WNV in horses include signs such as depression, lack of appetite and coordination, circling, muscle tremors and head pressing. An affected horse may go down and not be able to rise. If a horse displays these symptoms, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately.

"One third of unvaccinated sick horses die from this disease," said Siroky. "The West Nile Virus is in Idaho. We have expected it for two years and have worked with the Department of Health and Welfare to inform the public about preventative measures for the health of Idaho's citizens and animals."

It is recommended that owners with an unvaccinated horse contact their veterinarian and complete the vaccination process. The vaccine takes approximately five weeks to become effective.

WNV is transmitted only when an infected mosquito bites a horse. Horses cannot get the virus from other infected animals or from each other. However, any horse that comes in contact with mosquitoes is at risk. Infections have not occurred by person-to-person or animal-to-person contact.

People are also reminded to take precautions to protect themselves and their families. There is no vaccine for people. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito do not become ill, although some may experience a mild fever, headaches and body aches. Less than one percent of people infected with WNV will suffer serious complications. In severe cases the infection can lead to death, so it is important to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.

Protective measures against mosquitoes include:

* Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, so be extra careful during those times.

* Wear long sleeved shirt, long pants when outdoors.

* Apply insect repellants containing DEET when outdoors.

* Insect proof your home.

* Eliminate breeding areas by reducing standing water.

Mosquitoes require standing water to reproduce. By eliminating, reducing or treating standing water on your property, you will help prevent the mosquito population from growing. Sources of standing water and ways to treat or eliminate them include:

* Water troughs and buckets -- Scrub troughs to remove algae and replace water at least every three days.

* Clogged gutters and drains -- Keep gutters and drains clean; use Mosquito DunksŪ or equivalent product if standing water cannot be eliminated.

* Old tires -- Remove, cut, or treat all old tires on your property - including tire jumps and those used to hold down tarps. (Your county mosquito agency can assist you with proper tire management.)

* Wash stalls and collection drains under wash stalls -- Use Mosquito DunksŪ or equivalent product in collection drains if water collects and stands for more than three days.

* Any natural water including ponds, brooks and streams.

* Drainage ditches on the farm or storm drains surrounding the farm -- Use Mosquito DunksŪ or equivalent product in ditches on the farm and call your county mosquito agency regarding storm drains surrounding the property.

* Bird baths -- Empty, clean, and replace water at least every three days.

* Wading pools and plastic swimming pools -- chlorinate pools, or clean and replace water at least every three days.

* Standing puddles on ground or in tarps -- Try to prevent water from accumulating in puddles. If this is not possible, eliminate the water by sweeping it out or otherwise removing it if it stands for longer than three days.

Generally dogs, cats and most livestock are not threatened by the disease, but llamas are susceptible.

Mosquitoes are the culprits for spreading the disease. Birds carry the infection but cannot give it to people. The virus is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a human or a horse.

Elmore County currently has no mosquito abatement districts, and it could be a two-year process to start up such a district.

In order to form an abatement district, a petition, signed by qualified residential property owners, (equal to not less than 10 percent of the resident property owners that voted in the last general election) must be presented to the board of county commissioners. The petition must define the boundaries of the proposed district and the assessed tax valuation of the property. When the conditions have been met, the commissioners shall publish the petition and if after 30 days no protests are received, an election must be held at the next date specified under Idaho Code. The petitioners must bear the expense of holding the election.

If there are written protests, the county commissioners must hold a public hearing within 30 days after receipt of the written protests and after the hearing hold an election.

Only qualified electors who own land within the district, or the proposed district, and are residents of the county or are spouses of such landowners may vote on the formation of the district. A majority of votes cast will establish the district.

Once a district is formed, a five member board of trustees shall be appointed from within the area of the proposed abatement district to govern the district.

The board of county commissioners must levy upon taxable property within the district a tax at a rate to raise sufficient amount to operate the district for the ensuing year.