Posted: 09.02.2010
The Labor day weekend might be a little on the cool side, but the National Weather Service is predicting that Wisconsin will actually enjoy above average temperatures through November.
Enjoy may be debateable. This summer has proved to be one of the worst for mosquitoe populations around the state. Above normal rainfall earlier in the summer has led to abnormally high adult insects wherever you go. If you're a horse owner - that may mean discussing a booster vacicnation for your horses.
“The threat of mosquito-borne diseases remains until we get a good hard frost,” accordind to WI State Veterinarian, Dr. Bob Ehlenfeldt, of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. “If you vaccinated your horses in spring, that’s asking a lot of the vaccine to remain effective for that long, so talk to your veterinarian about a booster. If you haven’t vaccinated yet this season, do it now.”
To date, Ehlenfeldt has not received any reports of mosquito-borne diseases among Wisconsin horses this season. He attributes that partly to luck and partly to owners who do vaccinate. There have been 131 EEE cases and 22 WNV cases reported elsewhere in the nation, however.
Wisconsin suffered a widespread EEE outbreak in 2001 that left 42 horses dead, and has seen sporadic cases since then. The numbers of WNV cases have steadily dwindled, to just one last year. Nevertheless, Ehlenfeldt cautioned against complacency.
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