West Nile virus has killed a horse in Meade County, S. D.




This is South Dakota’s first horse fatality from the disease since 2005, when three horses were struck by West Nile virus. There were no losses last year.


Sam Holland, DVM, South Dakota state veterinarian, said the 2-year-old Meade County filly had not been vaccinated against the disease.


Holland said vaccinations are at least partially responsible for the reduction in the number of reported cases since the equine form of the disease first appeared in the state in 2002.

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