Oklahoma horse owners are being encouraged to vaccinate their animals against the potentially deadly West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis diseases.
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry reports about 40 cases in each of the past two years in which horses in the state have been infected with the diseases.
The diseases are often carried by birds and transferred to mosquitoes, which spread the viruses through bites to both horses and humans.
While there are vaccines for horses there are, as yet, no vaccines for humans.
The mosquito population can be reduced by eliminating standing water where they lay eggs — such as in birdbaths, water tanks and wheelbarrows.
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