The total number of Texas horses testing positive for West Nile virus (WNV) has rocketed to 26.

The cases are spread across the state, with a lack of vaccination as the prevailing trend in the affected horses. The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) confirmed the WNV cases via serological tests.

"This is an unusually high number of WNV positive cases for this year," said Bruce L. Akey, DVM, MS, TVMDL director. "Additionally, at least seven Texas horses have tested positive for another mosquito-borne disease, Eastern equine encephalitis. The state had a rare rainy season at the onset of summer, allowing the mosquito population to swell, and the increase in neurologic diseases borne through mosquito bites is a direct result. There are effective vaccines available to prevent both WNV and EEE."

As of Oct