Now is the best time for equine owners to vaccinate their horses, donkeys and mules against West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE), according to North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

His office issued a press release Wednesday reminding animal owners to have their animals vaccinated against the easily preventable diseases.

“We haven’t had a lot of cases of EEE or West Nile in the past few years, but the disease cycle ebbs and flows in our state,” said State Veterinarian Dr. David Marshall. “Horse owners should not let down their guard. They should continue to vaccinate against these diseases, and take other precautions to minimize standing water that would allow mosquitoes to breed.”

Richmond County Animal Control Officer Billy Braden said these are not mandated vaccines.

“We don’t enforce them because there’s no state law saying you have to get them,” he said. “The only thing that state law requires is the rabies vaccine for dogs and cats.”

In 2008, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recorded 12 cases of EEE in the state, 11 of which were fatal. However, it estimates there are four cases for every one that is reported.

Both vaccinations initially require two shots, 30 days apart, for horses that have no vaccination history. Neither vaccine fully protects animals from these diseases until several weeks after the second shot, which accounts for why individuals should begin the process as early in the mosquito season as possible.

Marshall suggests a booster shot of each vaccine every six months because of the extended mosquito season in the state.