The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced the state’s first positive case of West Nile virus (WNV) in a horse in 2015 on Friday (Aug. 14).

The horse, a 5-year-old Choctaw mare from Orange County, was not currently vaccinated against WNV.

The mare began showing clinical signs on Aug. 3. The horse was treated at an equine veterinary hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia, and discharged when her condition improved.

Joe Garvin, DVM, head of VDACS’ Office of Laboratory Services, urged horse owners to check with their veterinarians about vaccinating their animals for WNV