The Kentucky State Veterinarian’s office has announced Sept. 1 that a Shelby County horse has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), the third confirmed case in the commonwealth this year.

In a statement Kentucky Equine Programs manager E.S. "Rusty" Ford relayed that the 3-year-old Quarter Horse mare with no history of vaccination presented on Aug. 28 with lethargy, ataxic (mild rear limb weakness), facial muscle fasciculations (twitching), bilateral nasal discharge, and head tilting. As of Sept. 1, the attending veterinarian reported that the mare is able to rise and is in stable condition, Ford’s statement said.

West Nile virus was first diagnosed in Kentucky equids during the late summer in 2001.

“Including this year’s three reported cases (through Sept. 1), our cumulative equine case total since 2001 is 716,” Ford said

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