The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed two additional cases of equine West Nile virus (WNV) yesterday, according to a statement on the organization’s website.

"On Sept. 25, CDFA Animal Health Branch confirmed two additional cases of WNV in a 16-year-old unvaccinated horse from Yuba County and a 2-year-old unvaccinated horse in Shasta County," the statement read. "Both horses were euthanized.

"For 2012, a total of twenty (California) horses have been confirmed positive for WNV," the statement continued. "The positive horses are located in the following twelve counties Butte, Calaveras, Fresno (3), Glenn, Kern(2), Merced, Sacramento(2), San Joaquin (2), Shasta (4), Stanislaus, Yolo, and Yuba counties. Seven of the positive horses have been euthanized.

"The CDFA continually monitors and investigates equine neurologic cases for the presence of WNV in California," the statement concluded. "The CDFA urges horse owners to consult their veterinarian concerning a WNV vaccination program to ensure maximum protection of their horses