As of August 20, 2012, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is reporting four cases of West Nile Virus in horses on four different premises. Of those equines, one is alive and three horses have been euthanized. According to the report, three of the horses were not vaccinated against West Nile virus and the other was "partially" vaccinated.
West Nile virus affecting more horses
Kentucky Department of Agriculture is reporting four cases of West Nile Virus in horses on four different premises.
The four equines affected by West Nile virus were located in four different counties: Henderson, Laurel, Scott, and Warren.
Health officials and veterinarians throughout the United States have issued warnings about the potential for West Nile virus affecting both humans and horses, along with way to prevent the disease by controlling the mosquito population including spraying of areas where mosquitoes tend to thrive during warm, humid weather.
West Nile virus is caused by a virus that is harbored in birds and spread via mosquitoes to other birds, people, and horses. Most birds do not develop the disease, although crows and blue jays often die as a result of infection with the virus. Horses and people are known as dead-end hosts because no evidence shows cases of the disease being spread to people by infected horses.
Read more about West Nile Virus and how to prevent it.