Protect horses from virus

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is reminding horse owners across the state to make sure their animals are properly vaccinated.

Last year, 456 horses in the state were known to have contracted West Nile virus resulting in 200 deaths. In the majority of those cases the horses were either not vaccinated or vaccinated improperly.

"Outbreaks of West Nile virus are expected to continue this year," said California State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer. "Horse owners should contact their veteri

narians as soon as possible to ensure current vaccination status so that horses will have maximum protection against the disease."

Signs of West Nile virus include stumbling, staggering, wobbling, weakness, muscle twitching and inability to stand. Horses contract the disease from carrier mosquitoes and are not contagious to other horses or people. Not every horse exposed to the virus will die.

For more information, visit www.cdfa.ca.gov or call the Equine West Nile Virus Information Line at (800) 268-7378.