The detection of West Nile Virus in two horses in southern Nevada has prompted the state’s Department of Agriculture to remind ranchers to get their horses vaccinated.

Horses were recently euthanized in Clarke and Nye counties after their conditions didn’t improve with treatment.

Vaccines for WNV and Equine Encephalitis, another mosquito-borne illness, are available for equine species. Vaccines are not available for humans. The disease cannot be passed from horse to horse, but rather, is transmitted from birds through mosquitos. This is a curable illness but can lead to death if left untreated.

Horse owners are encouraged to remove standing water around horses to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and vaccinate their horses. Reach out to your veterinarian to get vaccinations and update vaccination schedules to protect animals.

Source: Nevada Department of Agriculture