The number of equine West Nile virus (WNV) cases identified this year in the United States continues to rise as Connecticut, Florida, and Kentucky all reported new cases this week.

Connecticut–According to a Sept. 11 press release from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, two resident horses tested positive for the virus in late August. Neither horse had a documented WNV vaccination history, the release said.

A 4-year-old horse from Southbury became lethargic and began stumbling on its front fee Aug. 27, the release said. The animal’s clinical signs progressed to include fever, depression, and ataxia (incoordination), the release read, and a positive WNV test result was returned shortly thereafter. The horse has been under veterinary care and is currently recovering, the release said.

Meanwhile, on Aug. 29, the owner of a 31-year-old horse from South Windsor found the animal recumbent and unresponsive. As the animal’s condition continued to deteriorate, he was euthanized by a veterinarian. Test results later confirmed WNV