Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with the Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.”
This week, Mike Davis fills in for Rhonda and talks with Commissioner Troxler about two diseases that can be deadly for horses, donkeys and mules: West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis. These diseases are a common occurrence in North Carolina, but they are easily preventable.
In 2009, North Carolina had 23 reported cases of EEE in horses, and 21 of them were fatal. In 2008, there were 13 reported cases. There have been no reported cases of West Nile virus in equine the past two years.
Commissioner Troxler encourages equine owners to vaccinate their animals against these diseases. Owners should talk to their veterinarians to determine the best time to start the vaccination process. Both vaccinations initially require two shots, 30 days apart, for horses that have no prior vaccination history.
People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the virus to other horses, bird or people through direct contact.
Listen as Commissioner Troxler and Mike talk about what equine owners should do to protect their animals from these diseases.
NOTE: Due to a technical glitch, audio is currently unavailable through In the Field. Please click here to listen to the audio on Southern Farm Network’s Ag Daily website.
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