Abstract

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a member of the Flaviviridae, a family of single-stranded RNA viruses transmitted by the Culex mosquitoes and is characterized by the presence of neuro invasive strains causing disease and death in humans, birds and horses. While long identified in Africa, and other parts of the world, WNV was first diagnosed in North America in 1999, causing a surge in the number of WNV-related neuro invasive cases in 2002-2003, and again in 2012. West Nile virus is spread between birds by mosquitoes. It is maintained in the wild bird population. Humans and horses become infected after being bitten by mosquitoes harboring the virus that have fed on infected birds. The virus enters the horse’s bloodstream and spreads to the spinal cord and brain causing inflammation. Clinical signs of disease usually present within three to fifteen days of exposure [1-3].

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