Wisconsin Ag Connection - West Nile Virus Found in Clark County Horse

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West Nile Virus Found in Clark County Horse
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/09/2011

Wisconsin animal health officials have confirmed the state's first case of West Nile Virus in a horse this year. According to the Department of Agriculture, a 10-year-old horse in rural Clark County was tested for WNV in late August after it showed signs of the neurological disease. Results were confirmed positive this week.

The news comes after a recent string of other mosquito-borne viruses were found in nearby counties, including birds in Wood County and eastern equine encephalitis in horses that live in Price and Taylor Counties. Two llamas in Dunn County also died from EEE this summer.

WNV can be spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds.

Most people who are infected with WNV do not get sick. But those who do usually experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, or rash.

Symptoms in horses include stumbling, depression, drooping eyelids and partial paralysis.

Even though the summer is coming to a close, DATCP officials are urging horse owners to vaccinate their horses for WNV if they haven't already.

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