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| Thursday, September 2, 2010 |
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Horse dies of West Nile
Published August 27, 2003
A horse in a field near the Bridgeport City Park died as a result of West Nile virus, city officials said Monday.
The horse was found sick on Sunday and sent for tests the next day, said veterinarian Randy Smith. The horse was suffering from posterior paralysis and eventually died. Bridgeport Mayor John Lewis said the horse was found to have West Nile virus. County health department officials confirmed they had been notified of the death.
Lewis notified state health officials after receiving the diagnosis. He also said a dead bird was found near the Bridgeport Depot and it will also be tested for the virus.
“This is a very dangerous situation,” Lewis said. “We’re going to need everybody’s help in this.”
Lewis said residents should eliminate potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes commonly breed in areas of standing water, such as animal water dishes and inside of old tires. Lewis said animal-safe pesticide bricks that can be placed in water dishes are available from home and garden stores and possibly from local co-ops.
Lewis said the city would erect a sign at the park’s entrance warning of the presence of West Nile in the area, as well as printing and distributing fliers in the community. But the city has no plans to purchase mosquito spraying equipment. Lewis called such equipment a “waste of money.”
“It just kills the mosquitoes that the vapor hits that day. By the next day, you’ve got a brand new flock,” he said.
Other areas where mosquitoes can breed are around leaking water pipes or runoff drains from septic tanks.
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