West Nile Encephalomyelitis in Horses

Encephalomyelitis is inflammation in the brain and/or spinal cord. West Nile virus, the cause of West Nile encephalomyelitis, was first found in North America in 1999, although it was widely distributed in Africa, the Middle East, southwest Asia, and parts of Europe. This viral disease, transmitted primarily by mosquitoes, is characterized by central nervous system dysfunction and can be fatal or (if the horse survives) can result in prolonged signs of disease.

Encephalomyelitis in horses caused by infection with the West Nile virus has been called Near Eastern equine encephalitis or lordige in France. The proportion of horses infected is low, estimated at about 10%, but mortality rates approach 50% in horses that show clinical disease. The number of equine cases of West Nile virus infection in the US has been declining since it hit a high of more than 15,000 cases in 2002, although smaller focal outbreaks have occurred. This decline is thought to be because of availability and increased use of vaccines, increased awareness of the need to control mosquito populations, and increased immunity to the virus within wild bird populations (the reservoir hosts).

All horses are susceptible to West Nile virus encephalomyelitis, especially if not vaccinated against the disease. Any age horse can be affected, but adults are affected most commonly. Older horses and unvaccinated horses develop more severe disease.

The signs and course of the disease are highly variable and can appear similar to other diseases. Not all horses infected with the virus develop the disease, and some horses can die without showing signs of illness prior to death. The first signs of the disease may be general and include signs of discomfort or anxiety, lameness, low-grade fever, or malaise. Neurologic signs can include muzzle twitching, impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular gait, trembling, lack of coordination, weakness, muscle contractions, paralysis, convulsions, and death. Horses may become abnormally sensitive to sights, sounds, or touch. Once complete paralysis has developed in one or more legs, the death rate increases greatly. A presumptive diagnosis is made by a blood test showing increases in IgM-type antibodies against West Nile virus.

Treatment of signs and supportive care are indicated. Anti-inflammatory drugs, including nonsteroidal drugs and/or corticosteroids, are often prescribed but do not always result in improvement. Serum or plasma products containing antibodies to the virus can be given as part of the treatment, but there is no evidence of effectiveness. Several different therapies may need to be tried to find one that helps. Good supportive care is important. In horses that recover, most return to normal functioning within 1 to 6 months, but some owners of horses with West Nile virus infection have reported some longterm effects.

Vaccination helps protect against West Nile virus encephalomyelitis. Most horses given one of the available vaccines according to the manufacturer’s recommendations will be fully protected from disease. In the unlikely event that a horse vaccinated against West Nile virus contracts the disease, the signs tend to be less severe and recovery better. Your veterinarian can recommend an appropriate vaccination schedule for your horse based on current guidelines.

West Nile virus transmission cycle

Good environmental management can also help prevent West Nile virus infection. Because mosquitoes breed in standing, stagnant water, all water tanks and buckets should be cleaned at least once a week, and areas where stagnant water can collect, such as empty flower pots and used tires, should be eliminated. Fans that blow over horses in the barn area can reduce mosquitoes and other flying insects. (Be sure that all electrical cords for fans are out of the horses’ reach to avoid electrical shock.) Appropriate insecticides should be used according to label directions in the summer and other times when mosquitoes are common.