Dexter horse tests positive for West Nile virus, the first confirmed equine case in Michigan
A horse from Dexter has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first confirmed case of the illness in horse in the state this year, the Washtenaw County Public Health Department has announced.
The first human case of West Nile was reported in the county in August, and there have been 10 human cases in Michigan this year.
While there has been a West Nile vaccine available for horses since 2003, this horse was not vaccinated, said Laura Bauman, a health department epidemiologist.
Almost one third of horses infected with West Nile will die from the disease.
This particular horse had a fever and quivering muscles,” she said. “As far as I know the horse is still alive.”
Symptoms of West Nile virus can include slight fever, headache, body aches and sometimes a skin rash and swollen glands. One in four people become ill between three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. In rare cases, the virus can lead to death or serious illness. Those with serious illness may experience a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, mental confusion, convulsions, paralysis and muscle weakness.
The Washtenaw County Health Department is urging residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites and to call the Washtenaw County West Nile Virus Hotline at (734) 544-6750 to report dead birds or to receive general West Nile virus information.
Among precautions the county suggests are staying indoors at dawn and dusk and wearing light colored clothing, long pants and long-sleeved shirts if possible. Insect repellant that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus/PMD or IR3535 should be applied to exposed skin or clothing. Trimming tall weeds, keeping the gutters clear from organic gunk and getting rid of standing water can help limit mosquito breeding around the home.
Across the country, there have been 258 cases of West Nile virus in 2010 and six deaths. Risk of transmission will continue until the first hard frost.
Juliana Keeping is a health and environment reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
Horsewoman
Fri, Sep 17, 2010 : 5:17 p.m.
The infected WN horse is doing very well. After a week at MSU he has been home for 6 days and has improved amazingly well, and will make a full recovery and be perfectly normal. He is a 20 year old Foundation Quarter Horse, retired from showing, who lives in a closed herd of 4 horses, on pasture, not off the property. He got bit by that WN positive random mosquito. And no, horses cannot transmit WN to other horses or to humans.
julieswhimsies
Fri, Aug 12, 2011 : 6:17 p.m.
We're also giving the horses a booster tomorrow.
julieswhimsies
Fri, Aug 12, 2011 : 6:09 p.m.
Excellent news! We're spraying every surface in the barn, and all the horses, and are riding indoors. Each horse has a fan in his stall...However, I have never seen a mosquito infestation this bad in my life. They are IMPOSSIBLE to avoid!
Susan Cerniglia
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 9:58 a.m.
@ Elaine - West Nile Virus is spread to humans from infected mosquitoes. The best prevention is to avoid mosquito bites, as the article emphasizes. It is not spread from horses to humans. Illness among horses (and birds) is monitored because it is an indication that there are mosquitoes infected with the virus in a particular area. For more information or to report dead birds, call the West Nile Virus Hotline at 734-544-6750 (operated by Washtenaw County Public Health).
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 : 7:01 a.m.
Can West Nile be passed from animals, in this case the horse, to humans? That might be helpful information.
ypsicat
Tue, Sep 14, 2010 : 10:46 p.m.
Amen to that. This is my hooman's worst nightmare, even though she does vaccinate against it for her other *ahem* "child," who I've never met but have heard all too much about. Meow.
cibachrome
Tue, Sep 14, 2010 : 6:52 p.m.
It would be informative to state whether this horse was on a road trip and brought it back to Michigan, or was it just parked out in a pasture and a random mosquitoe brought it here. Owners traveling and camping in other states and countries with their animals should take precautions to leave water there, wash trailers and keep shots up to date to prevent this horrible disease from coming home.