West Nile virus affects more Dutch horses
The RIVM counted 88 confirmed infections in horses in the Netherlands by mid-September.
West Nile virus is spreading among Dutch horses this season. According to the latest publicly available figures from the RIVM, 88 infections had been confirmed by 16 September, compared with 58 a week earlier.
The figures appear in the RIVM’s weekly national update, published on 17 September. The institute bases its figures on reports and investigations by, among others, the NVWA, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Royal GD and other organisations involved.
The infections have been confirmed in several provinces, including Zuid-Holland, Noord-Holland, Noord-Brabant, Utrecht and Gelderland. This means it is not a single local cluster. The spread is consistent with a situation in which infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus between birds and horses.
Horses do not spread the virus further to humans or other horses. An infected mosquito is needed each time for transmission to occur. Birds play a central role in the virus’s natural cycle; mosquitoes can then pass it on to horses and humans.
Most infected horses do not become visibly ill. When animals do develop symptoms, these can range from fever and lethargy to neurological signs. Wageningen University & Research previously reported that such signs had been observed in some of the horses examined.
The increase does not automatically mean that every horse in the Netherlands faces a major risk. The risk of infection is linked to the presence of the virus, mosquito activity and conditions at a particular location. The RIVM and the NVWA are therefore continuing to monitor where new infections are found.
For horse owners, the emphasis is on consulting a vet if symptoms develop and limiting exposure to mosquitoes. Vaccination of horses is possible, but the decision is up to the owner and the vet. This report is not individual medical or veterinary advice.
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The key figures and explanation of transmission come from the RIVM, the NVWA and Wageningen University & Research. The text makes clear that the latest official count does not run up to the publication date.
- confirmed 88 infections in horses had been confirmed on 16 September. — Mentioned in the RIVM update of 17 September. source
- confirmed Infections have been confirmed in several Dutch provinces. — The RIVM and Wageningen University & Research mention several provinces. source
- confirmed An infected mosquito is needed each time for transmission to occur. — The NVWA describes the transmission cycle. source
- confirmed Most infected horses do not become visibly ill. — This is stated in the NVWA information on horses. source
Editor's note
The latest RIVM update found runs through 16 September. The precise position on 24 September has not been publicly confirmed; the development and the figures mentioned are nevertheless supported by official sources.Sources
- Actuele informatie over westnijlvirus — RIVM
- Aantal besmettingen met westnijlvirus bij paarden neemt verder toe — Wageningen University & Research
- Besmetting met westnijlvirus vastgesteld bij paard en vogel — NVWA
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „westnijlvirus paarden”
- NU.nl — „westnijlvirus paarden”
- De Telegraaf — „westnijlvirus paarden”