Nile Fever: DGAV Recommends vaccinating Horses

The presence of the West Nile Fever (WNF) virus has been detected in Portugal, leading the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV) to advise the vaccination of horses and the implementation of protective measures in affected areas.

In a statement released this Thursday, the DGAV reports that “suspected cases of WNF in equines have been reported, and the circulation of the virus responsible for the disease has already been confirmed in the national territory.”

According to the same notice, eight outbreaks were recorded this year in the Alentejo region and four in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region.

In response to this situation, the DGAV recommends vaccinating equines in areas where the virus has been detected and reinforces basic protective measures, including the use of repellents and the elimination of places with stagnant water, considered “mosquito breeding sites.”

Between January and 15 September, 272 WNF outbreaks in animals were recorded in Europe, most of them in Italy (216). Germany, Austria, Croatia, Spain, Estonia, Greece, and Hungary also reported infections.

Cases in equines were recorded in Germany, Croatia, Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Austria, while infections in birds were detected in Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Estonia.