The Risk to Europe

West Nile virus is obviously of concern if you are travelling with your horse to an area where West Nile virus is endemic, such as the United States.

However, with West Nile virus now considered endemic in Italy, the risk to horses residing in Europe may also be increasing.

Birds migrating from Africa across Europe, infected with West Nile virus, are the source of any potential outbreak of West Nile virus in Europe. Surveillance work has found birds across Europe to be infected with West Nile virus.

Climate changes that bring warmer, more humid weather, changes in mosquito populations with increase in mosquitoes that readily bite both birds and animals that also survive the rigours of northern winters, as well as human activities including air travel, are all factors that increase the potential threat of further outbreaks of West Nile virus across Europe.