Of all large mammals, horses are particularly susceptible to West Nile Virus. To date, there have been no equine cases of WNV in Huron County.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus in horses are:

• Listlessness
• Trembling
• Loss of Appetite
• Grinding Teeth
• Loss of Coordination
• Partial Paralysis

An equine vaccine (2-shot) for WNV is available for use in Canada. If your horses exhibit symptoms of WNV, or you require information on the vaccination, please contact your veterinarian.

Since mosquitoes breed in standing water, as a preventative measure, you should reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites around your property. Minimizing the amount of time your horses spend outside at dusk and dawn, will reduce their exposure to mosquitoes that could possibly be infected.

For more information, please visit: West Nile Virus: Practical Advice for Horse Owners. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF)