Horse Owners Urged To Vaccinate Animals Against West Nile Virus

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State veterinarians are encouraging horse owners to have their animals vaccinated against the potentially deadly West Nile virus.<br/><br/>The virus is carried by mosquitos and officials

Friday, July 27th 2007, 7:45 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State veterinarians are encouraging horse owners to have their animals vaccinated against the potentially deadly West Nile virus.

The virus is carried by mosquitos and officials say because of the rainy summer mosquitos are prevalent and the virus season is likely to extend into October.

Assistant state veterinarian Doctor Michael Herrin says there are about 250,000 horses in Oklahoma and since 2002 more than 1,100 horses have contracted West Nile virus.

There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in horses this year.

There has been one confirmed case of the virus in humans this year but no deaths.