The Kansas Department of Agriculture has confirmed an unlisted number of cases of West Nile virus in horses across Kansas, including cases in Lyon County.
The department says these cases have come to light “over the past few weeks.” Besides Lyon County, cases have been reported in Marion, Neosho, Seward and Wichita counties.
All the recent cases have been in unvaccinated horses or in horses with an unknown vaccination history — a point the Ag Department says is significant because West Nile is preventable and annual vaccinations have been “highly effective” in stopping the disease. The department says all horse owners should reach out to their veterinarians and make a vaccination plan for their horses if they have not already done so.
West Nile causes symptoms ranging from depression, loss of appetite and fever to incoordination, weakness, inability to rise and hypersensitivity.
West Nile can also cause illnesses for humans, birds and other species, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment began noting cases in humans last month but has not issued a recent update on the number of cases. The disease is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes. It is not directly contagious from horse to horse or from horse to human.
Click here for more information about West Nile in animals. Click here for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s information page on West Nile virus and humans.
