Horse owners across New Mexico are being urged to vaccinate their animals against West Nile virus following the state’s first confirmed human case of 2024.
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) and the New Mexico Livestock Board, issued the call after a resident in Union County contracted the virus.
Horses are highly vulnerable to the virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause neurological symptoms, including fever, weakness and ataxia. In 2023, 19 horses in New Mexico were confirmed to have West Nile virus, and six of those cases were fatal.
“Don’t wait until it’s too late,” Dr. Erin Phipps, NMHealth’s public health veterinarian, said. “Vaccinations can make a difference and protect your horses from West Nile virus.”
To reduce risk, horse owners are encouraged to consult their veterinarians about vaccination.