As the crow flies, it sometimes carries the deadly West Nile virus, and the affliction’s arrival in Minnesota has local horse owners concerned their animals may be infected.

The virus, which is transmitted through mosquitoes, mainly affects birds, horses and humans. Two dead crows found last week were infected with the virus. As of Sunday, three Minnesota horses had been diagnosed, one of which died.

Local reaction has been one of concern, according to Mike Bjorklund of Clarks Grove-Waseca Veterinary Clinic, who said that there has been large number of calls for horse vaccinations lately.

&uot;As far as what we’ve seen, it is a concern for horse owners,&uot; said Bjorklund.

Although there have been no confirmed cases in birds or horses in the area, largely due to the low number of mosquitoes, Bjorklund strongly encourages horse owners to get the vaccination, because of the value of the horse &045; not only economic value, but emotional value as well.

&uot;I had all the horses in my barn vaccinated Saturday,&uot; said Fred Harris, owner of Red Rail Ranch west of Albert Lea. &uot;It’s nothing to mess around with.&uot;

Horses six months and up require two separate injections, one month apart; horses two to six months old require three, also about one month apart. The cost per dosage varies among veterinarians, but generally ranges from $15 to $20. Bjorklund said the virus has not been diagnosed within 250 miles of the area yet, indicating that there is time for horse owners to get the vaccination.

The vaccine is conditionally licensed, meaning that although it has not yet met all the requirements for approval by the Food and Drug Administration, because of the emergency status it is being licensed for use.

&uot;Every indication that we have is that it’s an effective vaccine,&uot; said Bjorklund.

Signs to watch for in horses include weakness in the back end of the horse, fever, walking in circles and impairment of the central nervous system, such as disorientation.

Although horses may contract the virus without becoming sick, horses that do become sick suffer a 35 percent mortality rate, according to Bjorklund.