DAWSON COUNTY — A horse in Dawson County has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).
Horse owners should work with their veterinarian to protect their horse against WNV. Horses should be vaccinated for WNV once per year in the spring or early summer before mosquito season starts.
Horses that have never been vaccinated before need to get a booster to be fully protected. Owners can also practice good mosquito control, by removing standing water, cleaning water troughs regularly, using mosquito repellents, and bringing horses inside at dawn and dusk, which are peak mosquito feeding periods.
Humans and horses cannot spread the disease to each other. WNV can be transmitted to humans and horses through mosquito bites. Humans should wear EPA-registered bug spray to protect against mosquitoes. There is no WNV vaccine for humans.
For more information on how to access a horse/equine WNV vaccine, owners should contact their veterinarian.
Two Rivers Public Health’s regular office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office can be contacted at 888-669-7154.
