What Is West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus is a viral disease transmitted by insects. A disease that mainly affects birds: it can be transmitted to people, horses and other animals.

Of animals that can be affected by West Nile virus it is horses that are most at risk as the disease can have devastating consequences by causing encephalitis: swelling of the brain and spinal cord.

• What are the signs of West Nile virus disease in horses?
  The clinical signs of horses infected with West Nile virus can be similar to those of other equine disease.
  
  Symptoms may appear within 3 to 15 days of the horse being infected, and include:
  
  - Fever
  - Loss of appetite
  - Inability to swallow
  - Depression or
    lethargy
  - Stumbling or
    tripping
  - Muscle weakness
    or twitching
  - Partial paralysis
  - Impaired vision
  - Inability to stand up
  - Head pressing or tilt
  - Aimless wandering
    or circling
  - Convulsions
  - Coma
  - Death
  
  
  more