Overland Park, Kansas | August, 2001
The USDA has issued a conditional license to Fort Dodge AnimalHealth, a Division of American Home Products, for a West Nile VirusVaccine for horses. The license was issued to Fort Dodge AnimalHealth under expedited review, due to the potential threat of WestNile disease in horses.
West Nile Virus (WNV), a sometimes fatal disease that affectsboth people and horses, has spread to over a dozen states in justtwo years. Last year there were over 60 reported cases in horses,of those, 23 either died or were euthanized. The organism is spreadwhen a mosquito feeds on an infected bird and subsequently passesit to another animal.
The rapid availability of the product was made possible thanksto important basic work by CDC scientists and the very efficientreview of the Fort Dodge Animal Health vaccine by USDA scientistsand license reviewers.
The new vaccine, which requires two initial doses, isrecommended as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by WNV.State veterinary authorities will be given the opportunity toapprove the vaccine for use in their states.
For more information regarding this vaccine, please contact FortDodge Animal Health’s Professional Services department at1-800-533-8536.
Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division of American Home ProductsCorporation (NYSE:AHP), is a leading manufacturer and distributorof prescription and over-the-counter animal health care productsfor the livestock, companion animal, swine and poultry industriesin North America and international markets. Key products includeCYDECTIN Pour-On, Quest Gel, and EtoGesic Tablets. The company isheadquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.