Agent
Virus
Vector
Birds
Route
Mosquitoes
Dead End Host
Horses, humans
Systems Affected
Spinal cord, brain
Symptoms
- Fever and depression
- Diarrhea
- Overall drowsy appearance and no desire to move
- Muzzle twitching
- Self-mutilation, hyperexcitability, irritability, and a refusal of food and water
- Central nervous system signs of incoordination, head pressing, circling, paralysis, convulsions, and coma
- Death
Treatment
Intravenous fluids and anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease brain swelling
Prevention
Vaccination, removal of mosquito breeding areas, keeping horses indoors during peak mosquito activity periods
For more information, see West Nile Virus in Horses.
