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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS News WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27, 2003 West Nile Virus found in two horses in eastern Utah Tests conducted on two horses in eastern Utah have confirmed that the animals are infected with West Nile Virus (WNV). The horses are located in Uintah and Emery Counties. The test results came on the same day that the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa confirmed the presence of WNV in two sentinel chickens located in Carbon Flooding in Johnson Canyon Mary Craven's home in Johnson Canyon was flooded badly last weekend. Monument seeks input on wildlife habitat improvement The Grand Staircase-Escalant- e National Monument is currently conducting a Land- scape Assessment of the Buckskin Mountain portion of the Monument to evaluate current conditions of vegetation communities and wildlife habitat; develop desired future conditions; and to make recommendations for possible future management actions within the area. The Assessment Team is looking for input from interested parties. If you have historic of the photographs information or interest in area, the area or concerns about possible management actions on the Buckskin Mountain, the BLM wants to hear from you. The Buckskin Mountain is located approximately 24 miles (pre-1940- s) 89 south to the UtahAri-zon- a border. It is the northernmost portion of the Kaibab Plateau and contains important winter habitat for both the County. Also, two pools of mosquitoes from Utah and Uintah counties have tested positive for WNV. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is strongly advising horse owners throughout the state to continue to protect their animals by vaccinating them for the West Nile mule and Kaibab Virus if they havent done so Paunsaugunt deer herds. It is also an existing already. The UDAF also advises fuelwood area. all Utahns to take necessary The primary purpose for fu- precautions to protect themture management actions in the selves from WNV. area would focus on the improveThe UDAF has been advising condiment of wildlife habitat horse owners to administer two tions and to increase the protec- vaccination shots this past tion of resources on Buckskin spring. It is now advisable to Mountain. administer a booster shot for The goal of the Landscape As- added protection. The WNV vacsessment would be to make rec- cine is available from local vetommendations for activities erinarians. WNV is not transwherever necessary to move the missible from horses to humans. No human, or other animal existing conditions toward a more natural range of vegeta- cases of West Nile Virus have tion types and ages across the been reported by the Utah Dearea. partment of Health or DepartThe Buckskin Mountain Land- ment of Agriculture and Food. Until this point, Utah was scape Assessment is scheduled to be completed this winter when one of only four states without National Environmental Protec- the West Nile Virus, said State tion Act (NEPA) analysis will Veterinarian, Dr. Michael R. begin for possible management Marshall. We knew it was just actions. If you have information a matter of time before the virus or questions please contact Me- arrived in the state, and we have lissa Siders at the Monument been using this time to inform 8 office or horse owners and the general Melissa Sidersblm.gov. public about ways to protect (435-644-433- themselves and prevent the spread of the disease, he added, (more) The most common sign ofWest Nile virus in horses is weak- ness, usually in the hindquarters. Weakness may be indicated by a widened stance, stumbling, leaning to one side and toe dragging. In extreme cases, paralysis may follow. Fever is sometimes evident, as are depression and fearfulness. WNV causes encephalitis and affects the central nervous system. Horse owners who suspect West Nile viral infection of their animal should contact their veterinarian immediately. Approximately 13 of horses that show signs of the illness will die. Eighty percent ofWNV in horses occurs in the months of August and September. Horse owners who have not already done so should contact their veterinarian and have their horses vaccinated, though vaccination after exposure may not protect the horse against the disease. The equine vaccine requires two doses and takes approximately five weeks to offer protection from the disease. Once vaccinated, yearly booster shots are necessary. Horse owners can protect their animals by applying approved repellants to the animals and by controlling mosquitoes and mosquito breeding areas. Horse owners may also protect the animals by putting them in the barn or other enclosed structures. For more information about the West Nile Virus, please visit the Utah Department of Agriculture and Foods web page at: www.ag.utah.gov or the Utah Department of Healths web page: www.health.utah.gov. Ifyou have questions concerning your health or believe you may have contracted West Nile Virus, please contact your physician. The UDAF is asking people to insect-proo- f their homes, and if they are in areas that have mosquitoes, wear protective clothing and use insect repellant con- taining DEET. People can install or repair screens around their home and inspect for standing water that can provide mosquito-breedin- g habitat Thisindudesoldtires, deco- rative ponds or birdbaths. There is no human vaccine for WNV. West Nile Virus has spread rapidly across the country since first being discovered in New York in 1999. The most common way people and animals can contract the disease is through a mosquito bite. Only about 20 percent of people infected with the WNV show symptoms of the infection, which can include headaches, body aches and a mild fever. Less than one percent of those infected will develop a serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis. People over the age of 50, or those who have other health problems, are most likely to develop the severe forms of the illness. Tests on blood samples taken from the sentinel chickens and the horses were also conducted at the Utah Veterinary Diag- nostic Laboratory in Logan. Several bird species serve as the reservoirs for the disease. Mosquitoes transmit the disease from those birds to other birds, horses, humans, and other animals. Horses and humans are dead end hosts for the disease. That means the disease cannot be transmitted from an infected horse or human. TONY WRIGHT FOR KANAB CITY COUNCIL Tony Wright is a Stand Out in the overcrowded list of candidates for Kanab City Council. In recent memory, Tony is unequaled considering his integrity, experience and unselfish service to Kanab City. Brent Cancer Screening Saves Lives, w MayV06ursl Tony has been a leader in the Citys economic development efforts in recruiting nationally recognized companies to locate their Smart Site businesses in Kanab including Zions Bank Customer Service Center and Applied Computer Services. Tony has been a guiding force and calming influence in his business-lik- e manner in which the City is going about the sale of the Kanab electrical distribution system. There are many legal hoops and processes that must be considered in order to meet state law requirements, Tony is personally seeing to each of these details. ' ,'-'- Mobile Mainmography Van will be in Kanab ;bn: August 28 - -- : September24 Ji uytHpveniber: 6 : " For appointment or info call; S Southwest Utah PubiicHealth Department With the challenges facing Kanab in the near term, this is not the time for for a new, group of freshmen council members. 7 Kanab . Garfield Memorial Hospital ! ; 644-253- Re-ele- ct Tony Wright - Mr. Integrity - to Kanab City Council. Wri9ht .f. 435-767-88- 11 ' I ! J ,s ' ' , 7 .1 |