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Five horses kept at the same premises in Paralimni have tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting veterinary and health authorities to step up monitoring of mosquitoes in the area.
The good news is that none of the horses died; their symptoms eased after several days, and officials say there is currently no concern over their health.
There is also no risk of catching the virus directly from an infected horse. It does not spread from horses to people or from one horse to another.
The link is the mosquito.
Horses and humans can both become infected after being bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus. However, both are considered “dead-end hosts,” meaning they do not carry enough of the virus in their blood to pass it back to mosquitoes and keep the transmission cycle going.
In other words, the horses themselves are not a danger to the public. Their positive tests are a warning that infected mosquitoes may be circulating in the area.
According to the Veterinary Services, the first horse was tested Sept. 9 after developing a fever, weakness, and ataxia—an unsteady or poorly coordinated walk.
A wider epidemiological investigation followed, with more animals tested Sept. 18. Four additional horses were found to have the virus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to five.
All five animals came from the same premises.
Following the results, the Veterinary Services launched their prescribed investigation and monitoring procedures. The Health Ministry was informed, while the cases were also reported to the European Commission and the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Veterinary officials are now monitoring animals, while health authorities are overseeing mosquito surveillance and control.
For people living in Paralimni and the surrounding area, the discovery is not a reason to avoid horses or panic. It is, however, a timely reminder to make life a little more difficult for mosquitoes.
West Nile virus usually circulates between birds and mosquitoes. Infected mosquitoes can then pass it to people, horses, and other mammals through their bites. Animal cases can also serve as an early warning for public health authorities because infections in horses sometimes appear before human cases are detected.
Simple precautions include using mosquito repellent, wearing clothing that covers the arms and legs when mosquitoes are active, using screens or mosquito nets, and removing standing water from flowerpots, buckets, gutters, and other containers around the home.
Authorities said they will continue assessing the data and take further action if necessary to protect both animal and public health.
For now, the message is straightforward: the horses are recovering, they cannot infect you, but the mosquitoes are worth watching.
