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About 40 percent of the horses that developed encephalitis (brain inflammation) from WNV died during the 1999 outbreak that originated in the New York City area.

A USDA conditional licensed equine vaccine for WNV is now available through veterinarians. Conditional licensing means that the product has been shown to be safe and to have a reasonable expectation of effectiveness in preventing illness caused by WNV. Each state veterinary authority also must approve the use of the product in its state.

WNV has been shown to infect dogs, cats, bats, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, and domestic birds and rabbits. To date, the virus has not often caused illnesses in these animals.

Pet owners should not use human repellents that contain DEET on animals.
Some animals are more sensitive than people to direct application of DEET products, making their use potentially harmful. Check with your veterinarian for the appropriate products to protect your pet. Also contact your veterinarian if your pet shows signs of WNV infection, such as:

• fever
• depression
• lack of coordination
• muscle weakness or spasms
• seizures
• paralysis

Adapted from the American Veterinary Medical Association and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. For more detailed information, visit www.avma.org or www.apcc.aspca.org.

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