We get a lot of questions regarding West Nile Virus and its potential danger to llamas and alpacas. Can animals become infected with West Nile Virus. The answer is yes. "Other animals have also been found to be infected and have died from WNV. During the year 2000, reports from the Eastern states found WNV infecting 58 horses, two bats, a domestic rabbit, a skunk, a cat, a gray squirrel, and a chipmunk.? Having said that, ruminant species, including llamas and alpacas, have not been diagnosed with WNV. Llamas and alpacas fall into that category and do not seem to be susceptible to WNV infection. At this time, I do not see WNV as a threat to our llamas and alpacas. Thus, I am not vaccinating for the disease. We have no way to know if the WNV vaccine would have a damaging effect or protective effect in allamas and alpacas because the vaccine was not developed for use in these two species. Do you want to know more?

People and West Nile Virus. What should I know? See http://ohioline.osu.edu/wnv-fact/1003.html

I spend a lot of time outdoors. What are my risks? See: http://ohioline.osu.edu/wnv-fact/1002.html

Do birds carry or transmit WNV? See: http://ohioline.osu.edu/wnv-fact/1000.html

What is the role of wildlife in WWNV? See: http://ohioline.osu.edu/wnv-fact/1006.html

I have horses. What should I do? See: http://ohioline.osu.edu/wnv-fact/1007.html

For information about mosquitoes and control, please visit this web site: http://ohioline.osu.edu/b641/index.html

I am a veterinarian. What should I know? See: http://ohioline.osu.edu/wnv-fact/1005.html

I am an MD. What should I know about WNV? See: http://ohioline.osu.edu/wnv-fact/1008.html

Websites for more information:

Ohio Department of Health: http://www.odh.state.oh.us/ (Search for West Nile)

Ohio Department of Agriculture:http://www.state.oh.us/agr/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ (Search for West Nile)

United States Geogolical Survey:http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://prevmed.ohio-state.edu/

David E. Anderson, DMV, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Associate Professor of Surgery, Food ANimal
601 Vernon L Tharp Street
College of Veterinary Medicine
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Anderson.670@osu.edu
Phone: 614-292-6661
Fax: 614-292-3530

Visit our web sites:

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/docs/ClinSci/vobine/index.htm

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/docs/ClinSci/camelid/index.html

http://www.internationalcamelidinstitute.org/