Currently there are two approved vaccines available for horses to combat West Nile Virus. The vaccines are safe and effective. All horses must receive an initial vaccine followed by a booster in 3 to 6 weeks. The horse’s immune system does not build maximum immunity until two to four weeks after administration of the booster vaccine. It is essential that horses be vaccinated before the onset of mosquito season. Once the initial vaccination series has been administered, horses should receive a booster vaccine twice yearly, at the begining of March and again at the beginning of August, to ensure maximum immunity throughout the mosquito season. Over 13 million doses of the Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator vaccine have been administered. Despite several anecdotal reports to the contrary, there have been NO significant side effects to this vaccine. In addition to vaccination, all measures directed at mosquito control will reduce the risk of disease. Fly sheets, insect repellants, decreased lighting in stabling areas and elimination of standing water are some of these common sense preventive measures. Food for Thought News reports from Iraq and Afghanistan inundate us with stories of death and destruction. Perhaps the following excerpts from an article published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association earlier this year will remind us of another important face of war. Lt. Col. Don L. Couch and the Army’s 321st Civil Affairs Brigade have undertaken the mission of rebuilding Afghanistan’s veterinary infrastructure. Army Civil Affairs veterinarians and other civil affairs personnel - physicians, law enforcement specialists, political experts - work with civilians to rebuild. Most civil affairs personnel are reservists. The civil affairs veterinarians stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan are currently working to rebuild and supply the countries’ veterinary schools, restart national animal vaccination programs, and reconnect local veterinarians with the international veterinary community. In January, there were seven Army Civil Affairs veterinarians stationed in Afghanistan and three in Iraq.

Afghanistan, Civil Affairs veterinarians are working with international aid organizations and veterinary colleges at Kansas State University, the University of UC Davis, and Texas A&M University to collect donated supplies for the country’s two veterinary schools, which have been devastated by years of war. "At Kabul University they have desks and a blackboard, and that’s it," Lt. Col. Couch said. "All their laboratory facilities are in disrepair. Anything that’s donated is greatly appreciated." Despite the challenges, the veterinarians say they are making progress. "The most rewarding aspect is working with our Iraqi colleagues," said Col. Mark E. Grants, stationed in Iraq. Col. Grant has secured funding for four Iraqi veterinarians to attend the North American Veterinary Conference in 2004. Both Col. Gants and Lt. Col. Couch are optimistic about the future in Afghanistan and Iraq. "I realize that most of the news paints a fairly bleak picture of events here, but there are positive things happening here also," Col. Gants said. Lt. Col. Couch said, "I had an interpreter tell me this is the happiest, most productive time he’s ever seen in Afghanistan. We’ll be here for many years, but we feel good about what we are doing, and the Afghan people respect what we’re doing." Send your 2004 membership dues in TODAY. FEEL THE FREEDOM. HUNT WITH RED ROCK and remember: If you aren’t living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.

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