Issues of Concern to NFA Members:

The Ontario Government is encouraging all Ontario horse owners to have their animals vaccinated against West Nile Virus (WNV).

The West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause inflammation of the central nervous system. Symptoms of the disease in horses include listlessness, trembling, loss of appetite and co-ordination, and partial paralysis. A WNV vaccine, available through veterinarians, has been fully licensed in Canada and the United States for use in horses. The initial vaccination requires two injections three to six weeks apart starting at least two months prior to mosquito season. The manufacturer recommends an annual booster. For the most up-to-date information on vaccination, horse owners should consult their veterinarians.

Other activities the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) is undertaking to increase public awareness of the vaccine and to monitor its effectivenss are in horses are:
1. Expanding the diagnostic testing available through the Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph, in time for the 2003 mosquito season.
2. Mailing information kits to be mailed to veterinarians, county libraries, OMAF offices and equine organizations.
3. Ministry veterinarians are making presentations at equine industry meetins across Ontario.
4. Providing promotional materials, including fact sheets, brochures and an exhibit that will be displayed at upcoming farm and equine industry shows.
5. Providing regular updates to the ministry's website at www.gov.on.ca/omaf
6. Conducting a new survey of equine veterinarians. A survey of 190 equine veterinarians was conducted last fall with respondents reporting 74 confirmed cases of WNV between August 1, 2002 and September 14, 2002.

In the interest of provincial disease surveillance, OMAF is asking veterinarians and horse owners whose horses test positive for the virus at laboratories outside the province to report those results to the ministry.

Other information on West Nile Virus is at:
1. MOHLTC: www.gov.on.ca/health/english/program/pubhealth/wnv_mn.html
2. Health Canada: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/wnv-vwn/index.html
3. Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre: http://wildlife.usask.ca

 

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