CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia's state veterinarian says the riskiest time of year for horses contracting West Nile Virus is fast approaching.
Jewell Plumley says vaccination is advisable, and horses should receive a booster at the end of August or early September since most of West Virginia's cases are in the early fall. Once a horse is infected, there's no cure.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more than 500 people have contracted the disease this year, none in West Virginia. However, 116 water pools containing mosquitoes have turned up positive for West Nile.
The disease is spread by mosquitoes, so controlling them is the key to controlling West Nile.