Overland Park, Kansas | August, 2001
The USDA has issued a conditional license to Fort Dodge Animal Health, a Division of American Home Products, for a West Nile Virus Vaccine for horses. The license was issued to Fort Dodge Animal Health under expedited review, due to the potential threat of West Nile disease in horses.
West Nile Virus (WNV), a sometimes fatal disease that affects both people and horses, has spread to over a dozen states in just two years. Last year there were over 60 reported cases in horses, of those, 23 either died or were euthanized. The organism is spread when a mosquito feeds on an infected bird and subsequently passes it to another animal.
The rapid availability of the product was made possible thanks to important basic work by CDC scientists and the very efficient review of the Fort Dodge Animal Health vaccine by USDA scientists and license reviewers.
The new vaccine, which requires two initial doses, is recommended as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by WNV. State veterinary authorities will be given the opportunity to approve the vaccine for use in their states.
For more information regarding this vaccine, please contact Fort Dodge Animal Health’s Professional Services department at 1-800-533-8536.
Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division of American Home Products Corporation (NYSE:AHP), is a leading manufacturer and distributor of prescription and over-the-counter animal health care products for the livestock, companion animal, swine and poultry industries in North America and international markets. Key products include CYDECTIN Pour-On, Quest Gel, and EtoGesic Tablets. The company is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas.