RICHMOND, Va. (AP)- State agriculture officials are warning horse owners not to get complacent about vaccinating their horses.
Last year, there was only one confirmed case of West Nile Virus in horses and there were no cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. But the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the number of horses affected in previous years and in other states was much higher.
The vaccinations last six to 12 months, so officials say horses should be injected at least annually.
Officials also recommend destroying standing water breeding sites for mosquitoes, using insect repellents and removing animals from mosquito-infested areas from dusk to dawn, which is peak biting time.
West Nile Virus kills up to 30 percent of horses who contract it, while Eastern Equine Encephalitis kills up to 90 percent.
