Lincoln Journal Star

Horse owners are being urged by the state to visit with their veterinarian about vaccinating their animals against West Nile virus.

State urges care of horses to avoid West Nile virus

The Associated Press | Posted: Friday, September 7, 2007 7:00 pm

Horse owners are being urged by the state to visit with their veterinarian about vaccinating their animals against West Nile virus.

Horses in Custer, Dodge, Hall and Scotts Bluff counties have been diagnosed with the virus in recent weeks.

State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes says it’s not too late for horse owners to vaccinate their animals. He recommends horse owners contact their local veterinarian for guidance on whether a two-shot vaccination regimen or a booster shot is needed.

Horse owners also are encouraged to remove mosquito breeding points by eliminating any pools of standing water.

If possible, animals also should be moved indoors during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.