Donkey Tests Positive for WNV in Florida

The donkey, which was recently brought to Florida from a Louisiana auction, is recovering.
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A donkey residing in Palm Beach County, Florida, is recovering after contracting West Nile virus (WNV), the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported Oct. 25.

“The donkey had no vaccine history and was imported from a Louisiana auction into Florida on Oct. 16 with no clinical signs,” the EDCC said. “Clinical signs began on Oct. 18 and currently the donkey is recovering. … Given the travel history and incubation period for WNV, the donkey most likely did not acquire WNV in Palm Beach County.”

This is Palm Beach County’s first confirmed WNV case and Florida’s second for 2016.

West Nile is transmitted to horses and other equids via bites from infected mosquitoes. Clinical signs for WNV include flulike signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed; fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculations; hyperesthesia (hypersensitivity to touch and sound); 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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Erica Larson, former news editor for The Horse, holds a degree in journalism with an external specialty in equine science from Michigan State University in East Lansing. A Massachusetts native, she grew up in the saddle and has dabbled in a variety of disciplines including foxhunting, saddle seat, and mounted games. Currently, Erica competes in eventing with her OTTB, Dorado.

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