Dogs, cats and most livestock can be infected, but generally do not get sick with West Nile virus. Horses are an exception.

More than 20,000 horses have been reported with symptoms of West Nile virus, and 35 to 40 percent of those have died. But a vaccination is available for horses. Talk to your veterinarian about vaccinating your horse, pony, donkey or mule before it is exposed to mosquitoes this spring.

Horse owners can take some simple steps to reduce their horse’s exposure to mosquitoes. Stabling horses when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk can reduce their chances of being bitten and infected. Reduce the number of mosquitoes by getting rid of potential mosquito breeding sites. For example, keep troughs clean and use irrigation practices that do not lead to standing water. An inventory check list [PDF Document, 175 KB] being used by managers of Fish and Game owned lands is one every property owner can use to identify and reduce breeding sites on their land.