Minnesota Confirms a West Nile Virus Case

Minnesota Confirms a West Nile virus case. The case was reported in one case in Kandiyohi County, July 28, 2022.
Minnesota confirmed a West Nile virus case. The case is located in Kandiyohi County, identified in red on the map of the state.

Minnesota confirmed a West Nile virus case on July 28. A Minnesota State Animal Health Official reported a 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Kandiyohi County tested positive for West Nile virus. Additionally, the horse presented with progressing neurologic signs of ataxia (incoordination) and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) beginning July 20. The unvaccinated mare, used for barrel racing, has been euthanized, and the facility is not under quarantine.

To read the Equine Disease Communication Center alert about this case and others, click here.

EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program. It utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization. It is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.

About West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. Not all infected horses show clinical signs, but those that do can exhibit:

  • Flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed;
  • Fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculation (involuntary twitching);
  • Hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound);
  • Changes in mentation (mental activity), when horses look like they’re daydreaming or “just not with it”;
  • Occasional drowsiness;
  • Propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often without control); and
  • Spinal signs, including asymmetrical weakness; and
  • Asymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia.

West Nile virus has no cure, however some horses can recover with supportive care. Equine mortality rates can reach 30-40%.

Studies show that vaccines can be effective WNV prevention tools. Horses vaccinated in past years need an annual booster shot. Veterinarians might recommend two boosters annually—one in the spring and another in the fall—in areas with prolonged mosquito seasons. In contrast, previously unvaccinated horses require a two-shot vaccination series in a three- to six-week period. Developing protection against the disease following complete vaccination or booster administration takes several weeks for horses.

In addition to vaccinations, owners should work to reduce mosquito population and breeding areas and limit horses’ mosquito exposure by:

  • Removing stagnant water sources;
  • Dumping, cleaning, and refilling water buckets and troughs regularly;
  • Keeping animals inside during insect feeding times (typically early in the morning and evening); and

Applying mosquito repellents approved for equine use.

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