The Mosquito and Vector Management District Reminds Residents of Measures to Limit Mosquito Exposure and Population Numbers
The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County is alerting residents that a Santa Ynez Valley horse tested positive for a mosquito-borne West Nile Virus Infection in late August. The 5-year-old horse became ill but has since recovered. This was the first West Nile Virus discovery in Santa Barbara County since 2020, and though the virus is rare, it is a reminder of its presence and the need to be mindful of mosquitoes. The District conducted mosquito trap surveys near the incident site in early September, and the mosquitoes all tested negative for the virus.
Horses can be vaccinated against West Nile Virus, but the infected horse had not been vaccinated since 2022. MVMD advises horse owners to maintain on-schedule vaccinations for their animals to help prevent contracting and spreading the virus…