Source:
Ohio State Veterinarian’s Office
The Ohio State Veterinarian’s Office confirmed three additional cases of equine West Nile virus. A 22-year-old Paint mare from Lorain County first showed sign on 08/21/2018 with clinical signs of lack of appetite. Symptoms progressed to ataxia, urinary incontinence and by the morning of 08/22/2018 the horse was unable to stand on its own. After being down for 24 hours the decision was made to euthanize the horse on 08/22/2018. A serum sample was collected that day and was positive for IgM antibody by capture ELISA assay. The horse had not been vaccinated. a 5-year-old Miniature mare, also from Lorain County, first showed signs on 08/20/2018 at the Lorain County Fair. The clinical signs included tremors, stiffness, and the horse was clumsy. The horse was sent home from the fair on 08/21/2018. Blood was drawn for analysis and the horse was treated with Banamine. The serum sample collected was positive for IgM antibody by capture ELISA assay. The horse was not vaccinated and appeared to be recovering as of 08/29/2018. A 2-year-old Standardbred gelding from Wayne County first showed signs on 08/22/2018 including a low-grade temperature, incoordination, twitching, and appeared to be neurologic. The veterinarian collected a serum sample which was sent to NVSL 08/22/2018. The horse was treated and appeared to be recovering as of 08/29/2018. The serum sample was submitted to NVSL, which reported an IgM capture ELISA titer of 1:400 or greater, suggesting recent exposure to West Nile virus.