Bronson Sends Out Eearly Warning On Equine Vaccinations - Chipley Florida Online Newspaper - Foster Folly News
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is sending out an early reminder to horse owners to vaccinate their animals for mosquito-borne diseases, especially in the northern parts of the state which have received significant rain.
The heavy rain and flood conditions have left standing water in many areas of North Florida, providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes that carry the diseases. As of April 15, there are six confirmed cases of EEE and no cases of WNV. Four of the EEE cases affected horses that had not been vaccinated, one was an incomplete vaccination, and it isn't known if the horse was vaccinated in the sixth case.
The impacted horses are in Volusia, Gilchrist, Levy, Lake and Flagler counties. The number of cases is down from last year and Bronson wants to ensure that the downward trend continues. Last year at this time there were 12 cases of EEE; however, peak season for transmission of these diseases occurs during the summer months. With the recent rains, this year could be worse than average.
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