The Nevada Department of Agriculture is urging horse owners throughout the state to vaccinate against West Nile virus, which can affect a horse’s brain, spinal cord and nervous system. Mosquito activity is supposed be high this year because of all the standing water, so you’re encouraged to get them their shots as soon as possible. Besides West Nile, the Animal Disease Laboratory at the NDA tests for two other prevalent arboviral diseases: Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis Virus. All three can cause severe disease and death in humans, and Nevada residents should take precautions to eliminate mosquito-breeding sites around houses and barns, using insect repellents.