- West Nile virus detected in equines in Lyukhov
In the Wendland region, a horse has been identified with the West Nile Virus. The equine illness was identified in the Luechow area, as the Landkreis Luechow-Dannenberg reported. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI) verified the virus presence. Generally, many affected horses display no symptoms, but some experience severe neurological issues like instability, tremors, and weakness, even causing collapse.
Common in avian species
The West Nile Virus is a notifiable animal disease that can also infect humans. It predominantly affects birds. The primary transmission is through mosquito bites. In birds, the infection typically remains undetected. Contrastingly, there is no accessible vaccine available for horses or humans.
As per the FLI, it's predicted that the virus has managed to survive in local German mosquitoes throughout the winter. There are hints of the virus's establishment in Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saxony. Since 2019, there have been occasional human cases reported. According to the Robert Koch Institute, just a minor percentage of infected persons show symptoms.
The virus, being common in avian species, can also unknowingly affect other animals, such as horses. Despite the lack of a vaccine for horses, the health authorities remain vigilant to prevent any significant outbreaks.
