WNV in Kentucky horses
West Nile virus is transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. | Photo: iStock

Another Kentucky horse has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV), E.S. Rusty Ford, equine operations consultant for the Kentucky State Veterinarian’s Office, said in an Oct. 2 statement. There are now eight confirmed cases of WNV in Kentucky horses this year.

The horse—a 3-year-old filly from Fayette County—presented on Sept. 28 with acute progressing ataxia (incoordination). Ford said she could rise and stand with assistance, but was not drinking, was hypersensitive to touch, and had muscle fasciculation (twitching) on her muzzle and triceps. As of Oct. 2, the fill is reportedly much improved with a favorable prognosis.

Ford said the filly had been vaccinated against WNV in 2016 and 2017 but had no WNV vaccination history reported in 2018

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