The Ohio Department of Agriculture has confirmed five new cases of equine West Nile virus (WNV).
A six-year-old Standardbred mare from Trumbull County had onset of clinical signs on September 19, 2018 when the owner called the veterinarian regarding a neurologic horse that was wobbly. Despite treatment, the next evening the horse was down and unable to rise so the owner elected euthanasia. A serum sample submitted to NVSL had an IgM capture ELISA titer of 1:400 or greater, suggesting recent exposure to WNV. The horse was not vaccinated against WNV.
An adult Standardbred gelding from Holmes County had clinical signs on 9/22/2018 when the owner called the veterinarian after driving his horse he noticed that it had weak rear limbs, was pulling to the right and was dragging his hoofs. The veterinarian noticed that the horse was agitated and had muscle fasciculations. Treatment was started immediately. A serum sample submitted to NVSL, had an IgM capture ELISA titer of 1:400 or greater, suggesting recent exposure to WNV. The horse was not vaccinated against WNV. The horse is alive and recovering as of 09/24/2018.
A four-year-old Friesian gelding from Holmes County had clinical signs on 9/21/2018 when the owner called the veterinarian because his horse wasn’t eating, was refusing to move and had muscle fasciculations. The horse was vaccinated against WNV one week prior to showing symptoms. A serum sample submitted to NVSL, had an IgM capture ELISA titer of 1:400 or greater, suggesting recent exposure to WNV. The horse is alive and recovering as of 09/24/2018.
An adult Standardbred from Geauga County had signs on 09/24/2018. The owner called the veterinarian after noticing that his horse had stiff limbs and had stopped eating. The veterinarian responded, treated the horse and left medication with the owner. A serum sample submitted to NVSL, had an IgM capture ELISA titer of 1:400 or greater, suggesting recent exposure to WNV. The horse was not vaccinated against WNV. The horse is alive and recovering as of 09/24/2018.
An adult Standardbred gelding from Ashtabula County had signs on 09/29/2018. The owner called the veterinarian for a wobbly horse that was having difficulty standing. The veterinarian responded and treated the horse. A serum sample submitted to NVSL, had an IgM capture ELISA titer of 1:400 or greater, suggesting recent exposure to WNV. The horse was not vaccinated against WNV and is alive and recovering as of 09/29/2018.
(With files from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Equine Disease Communication Center)