The West Nile Virus is transmitted from birds to mosquitos, which can infect humans and horses by biting them.
credit:
James Gathany
A dead horse in Klamath County has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first reported case in a mammal in Oregon this year.
West Nile Virus is carried by mosquitoes and flares up in the summer and fall. According to the CDC, 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 with no cases in Washington and 4 infections in humans and 4 infections in horses reported 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.
“If the horse hasn’t had that yearly booster, then it’s still not too late to get that vaccine and increase their protection for their horse.”
People can minimize the risk of contracting West Nile by removing standing water around their homes and avoiding mosquito bites.
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