Although the House Appropriations Committee has directed that the Agriculture Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) receive an increase of $800,000 for mosquito trapping and research, to date, only $375,000 of contingency funding has been allocated to the Department for additional work on WNV in the area of animal health. Of this, $200,000 went to Wildlife Services within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and $175,000 has been used primarily to fund additional diagnostic capabilities at the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has assisted NVSL to some extent and has said it will assist state animal health laboratories by providing diagnostic reagents.

In the opinion of the American Horse Council, funding in regards to WNV has been inadequate. This is not entirely the fault of USDA as it has seen a continued decrease in budget and has been faced with numerous agricultural disasters.

Recently, Dr. Randall Crom, USDA staff veterinarian who is working as the West Nile Virus Issues Coordinator, took some time to address our questions about the possibility of another WNV outbreak this year.

AHC: What is USDA's role in the West Nile Virus (WNV) situation?

DR. CROM: There are several roles for USDA/APHIS. One is to monitor horses and other livestock for signs of disease that may indicate potential cases of West Nile infection. We also provide laboratory support for confirmation of suspected positive results from state and local surveillance. APHIS has a response and investigative role if any positive cases are found, which includes providing epidemiological support in the affected area.

AHC: Who is responsible for surveillance for WNV and what does surveillance entail?

DR. CROM: State and local authorities are responsible for most surveillance, which includes collection and testing of dead birds and other efforts. USDA does have a role in collection and testing of dead birds in 11 eastern states through our Wildlife Services division. Surveillance also includes conducting mosquito collection and testing and sentinel bird testing. Again, these are usually done at the state level with confirmatory tests being offered at the federal level.

AHC: If another outbreak of WNV occurs this summer will APHIS be able to address it sufficiently?

DR. CROM: I believe we will, but it certainly depends on the scope of the outbreak. We are confident that we should be able to provide the laboratory and epidemiological support needed for an outbreak like the one that occurred last year. Should we have multiple outbreaks or a very large outbreak, our laboratory facilities and personnel could be strained significantly.

AHC: Does the Agency have sufficient personnel and facilities both in laboratories and in the field personnel to investigate and diagnose this emerging disease should it re-appear this year?

DR. CROM: Again, I believe we would be able to provide the necessary field personnel and epidemiological support even in multiple outbreaks. Obviously there is a limit there, but we would be able to assist in these areas. Where we would have difficulty would be in our laboratory facilities and laboratory personnel. We are concerned, for instance, about a diagnostic backlog building to the point that sufficient information would not be forthcoming in a timely and necessary manner.

AHC: Last year's outbreak had a significant impact on the international trade of horses, including an embargo on shipping horses through JFK airport, a major point of embarkation for equines being exported to Europe, the horse industry's largest trading partner. Could this happen again if another outbreak occurs?

DR. CROM: Certainly it could happen again. I don't think there is much we can do to prevent the EU and other countries from placing restrictions on our horses as they did last year. We are working to avoid last year's problems by trying to educate our trading partners as to what is happening and what is being done to address the situation. In general we are trying to provide as much information as possible, but there are no guarantees as to how they might react to a new outbreak.

AHC: Let's say JFK is closed again. Do your other export ports, such as Chicago, where most horses last year were shipped for export, have the personnel and facilities to meet the needs of the industry if an outbreak were to occur again this year?

DR. CROM: I would suspect there could be problems for a port that is not normally extremely busy to suddenly take up the slack from JFK. We would probably address those needs by temporarily detailing personnel to the port to assist permanent staff.

AHC: What efforts are being made to track the likelihood of an outbreak of this disease in horses?

DR. CROM: In addition to the monitoring and surveillance we discussed earlier, we are putting out information to state and federal veterinarians to help them know what suspect cases look like and what samples need to be taken if they suspect West Nile infection.

AHC: Does APHIS have any recommendations for horse owners if they are concerned their horse might have West Nile fever.

DR. CROM: Yes. Horse owners should work with their practitioners if they suspect or are concerned their horses might have West Nile fever. They should be sure their veterinarian is in touch with the State veterinarian's office about any neurologic condition in a horse for which they are unable to make another diagnosis.

AHC: In a few weeks many horses will be travelling to Belmont Racetrack in New York to race in the third leg of the Triple Crown. Belmont had two cases of West Nile Virus last year. Although both horses survived, there are obvious concerns. We want these and all horses in that area to be safe. While no one has panicked, we are aware that some horse owners have not brought their horses back to Connecticut, for instance, because of concerns over the virus and concerns over the ability to move horses out should an outbreak occur. What efforts, to your knowledge, are taking place to ensure the health of these horses?

DR. CROM: As mentioned earlier, surveillance is in place to find mosquitoes and wild birds carrying WNV. So far this mosquito season no WNV has been found in any of the birds and mosquitoes tested in New York or elsewhere. Mosquito population monitoring and control activities are also greatly enhanced this year as compared to last year. As for being able to move horses, remember that last year, even though a few of our foreign trading partners imposed restrictions, every state in the U.S. and most of our foreign trading partners acted responsibly by not placing movement restrictions on horses in the West Nile outbreak area. We are working to help ensure that no movement restrictions will be placed should an outbreak occur this year.

AHC: What if there are outbreaks?

DR. CROM: Should there be any outbreaks, we again recommend that owners focus on source reduction, that is the reduction of mosquito breeding sites. They can do this by making sure sources of stagnant water, such as containers, gutters, ditches, swimming pools and even swimming pool covers, are removed, drained or cleaned. Last year, for instance, as a result of water restrictions in the New York area, many homeowners stopped their pool care and the water in the pools became stagnant and were excellent breeding sites for mosquitoes. Normal pool care, including use of chlorine, will prevent mosquitoes from using the pools as breeding sites, but pool covers may, after it rains for instance, develop pockets of stagnant water -- perfect for mosquitoes. We know that the mosquitoes that transmit this virus, the ones that feed on birds, like to breed in these kinds of areas.

AHC: What other things can horse owners do to protect their horses?

DR. CROM: The other things horse owners can do are a little harder to address. Certainly if you have a screened barn where you can keep horses inside that would be best, but I expect this is impractical for most owners.

And while there are several mosquitoes known to carry this virus, we don't know which ones specifically infect horses. Different kinds of mosquitoes have different habits, such as what times they prefer to feed. Some are daytime feeders while others feed at dawn or dusk. We are reluctant to recommend a time to have horses outside because we are not sure which species infect horses.

AHC: What about insect repellants?

DR. CROM: Use of insect repellants can be helpful, but should not be entirely relied upon. This is simply because it's hard to ensure complete coverage of the horse and if the horse is being worked, or its particularly hot weather, the product might be sweated away. We are not discouraging owners from using insect repellants, but want them to be cautious about expecting such products to provide complete protection from mosquitoes.

AHC: When are we most likely to see outbreaks occur, if they do?

DR. CROM: Well, based on experience here and in Europe, I think the highest risk months will be August and September and possibly into October if we see some activity in those earlier months.

AHC: Any final comments?

DR. CROM: Yes. I would say that overall we have a better ability to determine activity of West Nile virus in various areas than we did last year and that should help owners protect their horses. In short, we will have some warning. We have a very good chance of determining virus activity before humans or horses are involved because it takes time for a cycle to build to a point where the virus will circulate to humans and horses. Just because the virus is in mosquitoes and wild birds does not mean we will see it in horses or humans.