The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has confirmed five new cases of equine West Nile virus (WNV).
In the first case, an unvaccinated, 19-year-old mare in Clinton County showed clinical signs including lethargy, unwillingness to move, muscle tremors and ataxia. The mare was treated for several days, but was ultimately euthanized on September 20.
The second case was in an unvaccinated 13-year-old mare in Livingston County. She was found in her stall with a swollen muzzle and signs consistent with being cast on September 14. The mare was uncoordinated and reluctant to move upon examination, but was still alive at the time of the report.
The third case was in a 2-year-old colt with no vaccination history in St Lawrence County. He presented with hind end weakness, was hyper-responsive to stimuli, and had muscle tremors in the shoulders on September 12. The outcome of the case is unknown.
In the fourth case, an unvaccinated yearling filly in Erie County showed an onset of clinical signs on September 15. She progressed from off feed to a high fever and neurologic signs, including twitching of the head, uncoordinated walk, and tail held off to the side. Despite treatment, the horse continued to decline, went down on September 21, had seizures, and was euthanized the same day.
The fifth case was in a yearling filly in Genesee County with no vaccination history. She showed onset of clinical signs on September 15 that included leaning and unsteadiness. A veterinarian attended the filly on September 16. The owners elected euthanasia.
The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
