Number of West Nile Virus Cases in Kentucky at 25

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced late on Wednesday, Aug. 21, that six more horses had been confirmed positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in the state. None had been vaccinated. Five of the horses are alive and one was euthanized on Aug. 19. This brings the total number of confirmed horses in the state to 25.

Following are the most recent cases: A 20-month-old Palomino and a 6-year-old Quarter Horse in Barren County; a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old Standardbred in Fleming County; a 10-year-old Thoroughbred in Fayette County; and a 12-year-old American Saddlebred mare in Oldham County which was euthanized.

For this year in Kentucky, the following counties have confirmed equine cases of WNV: Barren (6), Carlisle (1), Fayette (5), Fleming (2), Greenup (1), Hart (1), Logan (1), Marion (1), Nelson (1), Oldham (1), Todd (3), Washington (1), and Whitley (1).

Breeds affected are: Tennessee Walking Horse (6), Thoroughbred (5), Quarter Horse (5), Standardbred (4), and one each of draft mix, Arabian, Warmblood, American Saddlebred, and Palomino.

Of these 25 horses, 14 are living, nine were euthanized, and two died. The age rance was from yearling to 20 years old. Only one horse (which was euthanized) was confirmed to have been vaccinated against WNV.