ORANGE COUNTY, Va. — The Virginia Department of Agriculture confirms a horse in Virginia has tested positive for West Nile virus.
The unvaccinated quarter horse in Orange County, north of Charlottesville, showed neurological symptoms but is now getting better under quarantine. No other horses on the farm are sick.
Officials urge horse owners to vaccinate against West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis, which can be deadly. Both diseases are spread by mosquitoes and can be prevented with vaccines.
West Nile’s health impacts on humans
Mosquitoes pick up the disease from infected birds before spreading it to humans and other animals…