Three Kentucky horses were confirmed as having West Nile virus (WNV) today (Sept. 19), bringing to total for 2006 to 13, according to Rusty Ford, Equine Programs Manager, Kentucky State Veterinarian’s office. None of the horses were vaccinated; all are still alive.

One horse was an 8-year-old Quarter Horse gelding in Fulton County, onset of clinical signs Sept. 12. One premise in Todd County had two confirmed cases,  a 20-year-old Paint gelding  with an onset of  clinical signs Sept. 18, and a 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with onset of clinical signs Sept. 17.

West Nile virus (WNV) was first identified in October 1999 in New York. Clinical signs for WNV include:

• Flu-like signs, where the horse seems mildly anorexic and depressed.
  
• Fine and coarse muscle and skin fasciculations (twitching).
  
• Hyperesthesia, or 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).
  
• “Spinal” signs, including asymmetrical weakness. Some horses show asymmetrical or symmetrical ataxia (incoordination on one or both sides, respectively).

Other signs include paralysis of the lips, facial muscles, or tongue. Some victims also have a head tilt and difficulty swallowing