Although WNF is a notifiable disease, as a dead-end host, only the individual affected horse would require euthanasia on humane grounds. Restrictions may be applied to the horse while investigations take place and all other equidae on the premises may be considered for vaccination.
If WNV is identified in Great Britain, the government’s response will be driven by the risk to public health due to the virus being zoonotic. This will include increased public health messaging, increased surveillance of horses and wild birds, controlling mosquitoes and (to protect horses) vaccinating horses in regions considered to be at risk.
