Eight horses in Kentucky have been confirmed to have West Nile virus (WNV), and four of those horses have been euthanized. One of the confirmed horses was a Thoroughbred shipped to Fayette County, Kentucky, from Florida which developed signs after arriving in Kentucky. That horse improved and since has been shipped back to Florida. One horse suspected of having WNV was euthanized and tests are pending confirmation. Another horse suspected of having WNV is recovering (a 3-year-old Thoroughbred at Churchill Downs).


The Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners and the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association have been updated on these cases. While test results have been coming in since late October, there is no indication of new cases in the state. It is thought that most exposures took place in early October.


Following is the breakdown of reported cases in Kentucky:


Bourbon County, one confirmed, living Quarter Horse; Bullett County, one confirmed, euthanized; Clark County, one pending (not a strong suspect), living horse; Fayette County, two confirmed, one Thoroughbred euthanized, one living Thoroughbred; Fleming County, one confirmed, Tennessee Walking horse, euthanized; Jefferson County, one suspect, living Thoroughbred; Jessamine County, one confirmed, aged Thoroughbred, euthanized; Oldham County, one confirmed and one suspect, one Thoroughbred euthanized, suspect horse euthanized; Woodford County, one confirmed, living grade horse

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