No new West Nile virus cases found in Paralimni horses
Five horses at one premises tested positive and are recovering, while veterinary services continue surveillance in the area.
Paralimni, Cyprus. No further cases of West Nile virus have been detected in horses in the area after five animals at the same premises tested positive, the veterinary services said on Friday. The five horses, among 16 kept there, are recovering after treatment.
Surveillance continues
Veterinary services officer Dimitris Epaminondas told the Cyprus News Agency that surveillance was continuing but no additional infected animals had been identified. The cases are the first detection of West Nile virus in the Paralimni area.
The veterinary services have monitored horses for the virus since 2005, taking around 100 samples annually. Birds are also monitored because of their role in transmission. Migratory birds can introduce the virus before mosquitoes spread it locally.
Horses serve as an indicator
Epaminondas said horses showing symptoms can indicate that the virus is circulating in an area and could potentially infect people.
The main transmission cycle involves infected birds and mosquitoes. Horses and humans are incidental hosts and do not transmit the virus back to mosquitoes, he said. Authorities have therefore not considered restrictions on horse movements in the area necessary.
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