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Kentucky’s 2017 Equine West Nile Case Count Rises to Five

August 21, 2017
Posted by Erica Larson

The two newly diagnosed horses are reportedly recovering with veterinary care.

Topics: Article, West Nile Virus (WNV)

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Kentucky animal health officials have now confirmed five equine cases of West Nile virus (WNV) this year.

Kentucky Equine Programs manager E.S. “Rusty” Ford said Murray State University’s Breathitt Veterinary Center confirmed two additional cases—one in a horse from Hart County in another in a Russell County horse—on Aug. 18.

In Hart County, an 8-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse gelding presented Aug. 13 with lethargy, muzzle twitching, muscle fasciculation (twitching) in the shoulders and chest, and mild hind-limb ataxia (incoordination). As of Aug. 18, the treating veterinarian reported the horse was continually improving, Ford said. The affected horse has no WNV vaccination history, he said.

In Russell County, a 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding presented Aug. 14 with muscle fasciculation and mild ataxia that progressively worsened over a roughly 24-hour period. As of Aug. 18, Ford said the horse’s veterinarian reported that he was responding “favorably to treatment and improving rapidly.” The horse was “documented to have been vaccinated in 2015, thought to have been vaccinated in 2016, and received a single vaccination in spring 201,” Ford said

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Written by:

Erica Larson

Erica Larson, former news editor for The Horse, holds a degree in journalism with an external specialty in equine science from Michigan State University in East Lansing. A Massachusetts native, she grew up in the saddle and has dabbled in a variety of disciplines including foxhunting, saddle seat, and mounted games. Currently, Erica competes in eventing with her OTTB, Dorado.