West Nile virus in horses - district calls for vaccination

The dangerous West Nile virus is spreading among horses and birds in Saxony. The district of Leipzig is therefore calling on horse owners to be particularly vigilant and have their animals vaccinated. They could receive a vaccination subsidy from the animal disease insurance fund for this.

This summer, 35 horses in Germany have tested positive for West Nile virus. In Saxony, three horses and two flocks of birds have been infected so far. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes.

Infection leads to severe neurological symptoms ranging from muscle tremors to paralysis. In many cases, the disease is fatal - 30 to 50 percent of infected horses die or have to be euthanized.