Wexford County, Michigan, Horse Contracts WNV

The equine mortality rate for West Nile virus can be as high as 30-40%.
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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently notified District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) that a horse tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).

The horse is from Wexford County and is one of seven to test positive for WNV statewide this year. Currently, 42 counties in Michigan have had one or more birds test positive for WNV, including Mecosta County from the DHD#10 area.

“West Nile Virus continues to be a risk in Michigan and has been present in the state for over 10 years”, said Tom Reichard, director of environmental health services.

People and animals can be exposed to WNV by a bite from an infected mosquito. Clinical signs for WNV in horses include flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed; fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculation; hyperesthesia; changes in mentation (mentality), when horses look like they are daydreaming or “just not with it”; occasional somnolence (drowsiness); propulsive walking (driving or pushing forward, often without control); and “spinal” signs, including asymmetrical weakness. Some horses show asymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia. Equine mortality rate can be as high as 30-40%

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