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West Nile vaccine for horses due in bay area soonBy JENNIFER GOLDBLATT
© St. Petersburg Times, A vaccine that would protect horses against West Nile virus could be available to licensed veterinarians throughout the Tampa Bay area in the next few weeks, according to Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Aug. 1 gave conditional approval to a vaccine developed by Fort Dodge Animal Health. Initially, about 14,000 doses were made available to veterinarians who had ordered it in so-called "hot zones" throughout North Florida, where there had been active detections in humans and animals. Terry McElroy, spokesman for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said Tuesday he anticipates that about 200,000 doses will be made available throughout South and Central Florida in the next few weeks so that veterinarians in these areas will be able to order it. West Nile virus is carried by birds and spread to birds, humans, horses and other animals by mosquitoes. Four Floridians have been infected with the virus and there are two confirmed cases of Eastern equine encephalitis, another, more deadly mosquito-borne virus. A bird found dead in eastern Pasco County in July has tested positive for West Nile virus. That was the first West Nile case in the Tampa Bay area. Currently, 34 counties in North Florida are under a medical alert for the virus. There is no West Nile vaccine for humans. For more information regarding this vaccine, contact Fort Dodge Animal Health's Professional Services department toll-free at 1-800-533-8536. - Times staff writer Jennifer Goldblatt can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is goldblatt@sptimes.com.
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From today's Pasco Times |
