New Jersey Department of Agriculture

Memo

To: Veterinarians

From: Nancy E. Halpern, D. V. M. State Veterinarian

Date: October 4, 2007

Re: First Equine Case of West Nile Virus in New Jersey in 2007

The illness of a 21-year-old mare in Ocean County has been attributed to infection with the West Nile virus (WNV) - the first diagnosis of WNV in a horse in New Jersey this year. The horse became sick on September 26, 2007 and was euthanized on September 27, 2007. The horse was not vaccinated for the WNV. This is the first equine case of WNV in New Jersey since September 2006.

Data regarding identification of WNV in New Jersey in 2007:

* To date, 279 WNV positive mosquito pools from 18 counties in New Jersey and 36 WNV positive birds have been identified.

* Currently, no human cases of WNV have been identified in New Jersey. 5 human cases of WNV have been identified in New York City.

Vaccination of horses against WNV is recommended, based on consultation with the attending veterinarian.

Please Note: Horses or other species with suspicious clinical signs or confirmed WNV infection must be reported to the State Veterinarian at 609-292-3965 within 48 hours. Laboratory specimens should be sent to the NJDA Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory for testing. Laboratory submission forms must accompany the specimens. Forms can be obtained by contacting the Division of Animal Health or may be downloaded from the following website: www.state.nj.us/agriculture/pdf/05eqneurowork.pdf

 For more information about West Nile virus in horses, visit the New Jersey Department of Agriculture web site at www.state.nj.us/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/westnile.html.