West Nile virus (WNV), a potentially fatal disease in equines, was confirmed in a Yakima County horse. The 2-year-old gelding has been euthanized.

The horse, who was pastured near Grandview, had no history of travel out of the area and was not vaccinated against WNV. The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman reported the positive test results to the state veterinarian’s office.

WNV is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on an infected bird. The disease can sicken people, horses, many types of birds, and other animals. It is not spread from horses to other animals.

No human cases of WNV have been confirmed in Washington in 2012. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,118 human cases have been reported in 38 states this year