Ag chief seeks early shipment of vaccine

Atlanta - Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin wouldlike to "move up in line" to receive the USDA-approved vaccinefor West Nile Virus, following confirmation of the virus in a horse in thestate.

"We have contacted the manufacturer to see if we can be moved upin line," says Irvin. "The vaccine was not expected to be widelyavailable until after the first of the year."

Since his original request, Irvin says his state was placed on the "highpriority" list to receive the new vaccine, which is now expected tobe available in limited rounds. The first round will be released in mid-September.

Tests confirmed in mid-August that a 30-year-old mare that died in Georgiain early August was infected with WNV. Later in the month, a second horsetested positive for the virus.

For more information about WNV and animal health, visit the Web sitesof USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services at www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/wnv/index.html,the Georgia Department of Human Resources at http://www.dhr.state.ga.us,and the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association at http://www.gvma.net.