The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is announcing that $329,000 in special grants is available to counties and mosquito abatement districts to help prevent the spread of West Nile Virus in 2005. The deadline for application is April 30, 2005.

This is the second year that the Utah Legislature has earmarked funds to help counties and abatement districts expand their WNV prevention efforts.

Last year 18 districts and counties throughout Utah were awarded grants ranging from $91,000 to $5,000. The funds will again be offered on a matching basis, where the UDAF will fund 75 percent of project costs, with districts contributing 25 percent of the costs.

Guidelines and directions regarding how to apply for the funds are available on the UDAF website or call the UDAF at (801) 538-7188. The last day that applications will be accepted is April 30. The UDAF will award the grants by mid May.

ADVICE FOR UTAH HORSE OWNERS

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is strongly advising horse owners throughout the state to protect their animals by vaccinating them for the West Nile Virus in April or May of this year.

If you vaccinated your horse last year with the recommended number of shots, then a single "booster" shot will be sufficient this year. If you have not vaccinated your animal yet, you are advised to get a series of two shots administered three to six weeks apart. You can obtain the vaccine from most local veterinarians.

Horse owners can protect their animals by applying approved repellants to the animals and by controlling mosquitoes and mosquito breeding areas. Horse owners may also protect the animals by putting them in the barn or other enclosed structures.