Multiple States Report West Nile Virus in Horses

Eight West Nile Virus (WNV) equine cases in Colorado have been confirmed thus far in late August, with WNV also confirmed in California, Idaho, Kentucky and Minnesota.

Five West Nile Virus (WNV) equine cases in Colorado have been confirmed thus far in late August, with WNV also confirmed in California, Idaho, Kentucky and Minnesota. iStockPhotos.com

The Colorado State Veterinarian reported five new confirmed cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state through the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) in late August. The affected Colorado counties were: Adams (two cases), Boulder, Elbert, Morgan, Otero, and Weld (two cases).

The Idaho Department of Agriculture confirmed two cases of West Nile virus in late August in Payette and Ada Counties. The 18-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Payette County had onset of clinical signs on August 24 that included lethargy, tachycardia, muzzle hyperesthesia, facial/skin fasciculations and tachypnea. She was confirmed positive for WNV on August 27. The mare was recovering at the time of the report. The 6-year-old mare in Ada County had onset of clinical signs on August 22 that included recumbency and hind limb paralysis. The undervaccinated mare was confirmed with WNV on August 23. The mare was euthanized. She was at a private facility with a lot of 20 horses where most were undervaccinated.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture reported one confirmed case of West Nile virus in late August in Merced County. the yearling Quarter Horse colt had onset of clinical signs on August 16 that included acute recumbency, nervousness and twitching. The unvaccinated yearling was confirmed with WNV on August 26. He was reported as deceased.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed a case of West Nile virus in late August in Wadena County. The 3-year-old Quarter Horse mare had onset of clinical signs on August 19 that included being afebrile, recumbent and unable to rise. The unvaccinated mare was confirmed with WNV on August 25. The was recovering at the time of this report.

There was a confirmed a case of West Nile virus in late August in Malheur County. The 15-year-old Paint mare had onset of clinical signs on August 24 that included facial/skin fasciculations, tachycardia, tachypnea and hyperesthetic muzzle. The mare was confirmed positive for WNV on August 17 and was affected and alive at the time of the report.

Colorado West Nile Virus Cases

There were two reported cases of WNV in Adams County, Colorado, in late August. The first was confirmed on August 16 and the other on August 17.

In Elbert County, one horse was confirmed on August 16.

In Morgan County, one horse was confirmed on August 16.

In Otero County, one horse was confirmed on August 24.

In Weld County, one horse was confirmed on August 24.

Kentucky

West Nile virus was confirmed in a Thoroughbred mare in Woodford County on August 25. Read more about that report here.

For more information on West Nile virus read this Fact Sheet.

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