The Colorado State Veterinarian’s office has confirmed the first case of equine West Nile Virus (WNV) of 2023 in a gelding residing in Weld County. The horse presented with sudden neurological symptoms including weakness, stumbling and recumbency and was euthanized as a result of his condition. The age and vaccine status for this gelding are unknown.
A three year old gelding residing in Weld County has been diagnosed with West Nile Virus (WNV) and is now recovering. The horse developed neurological symptoms in late July, including weakness, stumbling and poor muscle control. The gelding’s vaccine status is unknown. This is Colorado’s first confirmed equine WNV case in 2022.
The total number of horses in Colorado with confirmed West Nile Virus (WNV) cases has risen to 21, with a first case of equine WNV confirmed in Mesa County. Additional horses in Weld, Larimer, Morgan, and Douglas counties have also tested positive for WNV. Of the confirmed positive cases, five horses have died or have been euthanized.
Since the index case of the equine West Nile Virus (WNV) was identified in Colorado on July 30, 2021, horses from multiple Colorado counties have tested positive for WNV. Four additional horses in Weld County, three horses in Adams County, two horses in Boulder County and one horse each in Elbert, Otero, Morgan, and Fremont counties have tested positive for WNV. This brings the total test positive cases in 2021 to fourteen.
A horse residing in Weld County has been diagnosed with West Nile Virus (WNV), marking Colorado’s first confirmed equine WNV case in 2021. The horse, which had not been vaccinated against WNV, developed acute neurological signs on July 24, 2021 and is currently recovering.