The Path of West Nile Virus in Canada

Horse owners in Canada are becoming just as wary of the neurological disease West Nile virus (WNV) as their U.S. neighbors. The virus has already affected at least ten horses in the Manitoba province, and officials are recommending mosquito

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Horse owners in Canada are becoming just as wary of the neurological disease West Nile virus (WNV) as their U.S. neighbors. The virus has already affected at least ten horses in the Manitoba province, and officials are recommending mosquito control techniques and equine vaccination.

The virus was first detected in Canada Aug. 23, 2001 in a dead bird found in Windsor, Ontario. By the end of 2001, 128 birds in Ontario were confirmed as carrying the virus, with most findings in and between the Toronto and Windsor areas. This year, the virus was detected in Ontario three months earlier than in 2001, and it has since been detected in Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan officials, currently tracking the westernmost movement of WNV in Canada, plan to test mosquitoes to determine what species are carrying WNV.


The Manitoba government announced that ten equine deaths were confirmed as WNV cases in the St. Alphonse, Morden, Birds Hill, St. Claude, St. Andrews, Lansdowne, Lorne, and Argyle areas. “Horse owners should watch for symptoms related to the central nervous system such as listlessness, muscle twitches, loss of appetite, lack of coordination and weakness,” instructed officials. “If these symptoms exist, a veterinarian should be consulted

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Written by:

Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director, grew up riding and caring for her family’s horses in Central Virginia and received a B.A. in journalism and equestrian studies from Averett University. She joined The Horse in 1999 and has led the editorial team since 2010. A 4-H and Pony Club graduate, she enjoys dressage, eventing, and trail riding with her former graded-stakes-winning Thoroughbred gelding, It Happened Again (“Happy”). Stephanie and Happy are based in Lexington, Kentucky.

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