Since mid-August, the Nébih laboratory has confirmed the West Nile virus in 12 horses and one dead stork

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The natural hosts of the virus are wild birds, the main role in its spread is played by mosquitoes that suck blood from them, so diseases can appear in greater numbers after mosquito bites (rain). In addition to birds and ungulates, humans are also susceptible to West Nile fever. However, it is important that the disease does not spread directly from one animal to another or to humans, the virus is spread only by mosquitoes. In the majority of cases, the infection goes unnoticed, no illness occurs, it is only possible to show that the animal or the person has been infected with a blood test.

The pathogen can be deadly

If the infection – in a small part of the cases – causes a disease that manifests itself in symptoms, then in the case of horses it is accompanied by general symptoms of fever and various nervous system symptoms caused by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Some of the horses showing symptoms may die, or euthanasia may become necessary due to severe symptoms. However, sick animals can recover completely over time. You can protect yourself against infection by preventive vaccination, using mosquito nets and exterminating insects.

West Nile fever is an animal disease that must be reported to the other EU member states and the international organization WOAH

An animal keeper who notices the symptoms of an animal disease must notify the veterinarian, the veterinarian will take an appropriate sample if the disease is suspected, and the laboratory test can confirm the suspicion. Nébih asks horse owners – during the period until late autumn – to be extra vigilant and to notify their veterinarian immediately if symptoms of the disease arise. Since the middle of August this year, the disease has been diagnosed in animals in 9 counties (Bács-Kiskun, Csongrád-Csanád; Hajdú-Bihar, Fejér, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, Nógrád, Pest, Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg and Tolna). The counties and settlements affected by the infection can be viewed on the “Outbreaks and Exemptions” subpage of Nébih’s website. Until the middle of September, in addition to Hungary, six other EU member states (Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, Bulgaria, France) reported cases in horses, as well as in wild and captive wild birds. On the website of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), data related to the occurrence of the disease – updated on a weekly basis – are publicly available and can be tracked.

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