The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has reported that a 2-year-old Andalusian mixed-breed mare in Grandview is the first horse in Washington to contract West Nile virus (WNV) this year.

The horse was not vaccinated for the disease and is showing neurologic signs, including stumbling and difficulties eating.

The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman, operated by Washington State University, reported the positive test results to WSDA’s State Veterinarian’s Office July 22.

Washington had 36 confirmed cases of horses with WNV last year, leading the nation with nearly 17% of confirmed equine cases. And this year, mosquitoes testing positive for WNV have been trapped in Adams, Benton, Grant, Franklin, and Yakima counties. Last year, the USDA reported 225 equine cases involving WNV nationwide

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