WNV rears in California
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. - 06/17/05 - This year's first equine cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in California have been reported in Plumas, Sonoma and Kern counties. The cases were confirmed about a month earlier than the first cases of 2004, when the state's 540 positives accounted for about 40 percent of all U.S. reports.
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. - 6/17/05 - This year's first equine cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in California have been reported in Plumas, Sonoma and Kern counties. The cases were confirmed about a month earlier than the first cases of 2004, when the state's 540 positives accounted for about 40 percent of all U.S. reports.
About 42 percent of clinically affected horses in 2004 died or was euthanized, and California is expected to be the epicenter for WNV again in 2005, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is urging horse owners to consult veterinarians to ensure each horse is current on WNV vaccinations.
California's 2004 cases:
- 1423 horses were tested for WNV statewide.
- 540 clinical cases were confirmed.
- 229 horses reportedly were dead or euthanized at time of case confirmation.
- Horses were infected in 32 of the state's 58 counties.
- Animals ranged in age from 4 months to 35 years old.
- Median age was 15 years old.
