West Nile virus encephalomyelitis in horses in Ontario: 28 cases.
Abstract: West Nile virus encephalomyelitis was diagnosed in 28 horses presented to the Ontario Veterinary College Veterinary Teaching Hospital between August 20 and October 15, 2002. The age range of affected horses was 5 months to 20 years (mean 6.9 years, median 6 years). Clinical signs were highly variable. Duration of hospitalization ranged from < 1 to 12 days (mean 5 days, median 5.4 days). Overall, 16 of the 28 (57%) horses were discharged and, of the 14 from which follow-up information was available, 13 (93%) were reported to be clinically normal 4 to 6 weeks following discharge, while the other horse had markedly improved. This pathogen is emerging as an important cause of neurological disease in Canada.
Publication Date: 2003-07-04 PubMed ID: 12839240PubMed Central: PMC340169
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses a study conducted on 28 horses in Ontario who were diagnosed with West Nile virus encephalomyelitis between August and October 2002. The study highlights the varying clinical signs, duration of hospitalization, and recovery rates, emphasizing that the West Nile virus is becoming a significant cause of neurological disease in Canada.
Study Overview
- The research conducted at the Ontario Veterinary College Veterinary Teaching Hospital looked into 28 cases of horses suffering from West Nile virus encephalomyelitis.
- The age of the diagnosed horses ranged from 5 months to 20 years, with an average age of 6.9 years and a median age of 6 years.
- The study occurred between August 20 and October 15, 2002.
Clinical Symptoms and Hospitalization
- A range of varying clinical signs were observed in the horses afflicted by the disease.
- The length of hospital stays varied considerably, with durations anywhere from less than one day to 12 days.
- The average hospital stay was 5 days, with a median stay of 5.4 days.
Recovery and Follow-up
- From the total 28 cases, 16 horses (57%) were discharged from the hospital.
- For 14 of these discharged horses, follow-up data was available. 13 of these 14 (93%) recovered to a point of exhibiting normal clinical behavior within a time frame of 4 to 6 weeks post discharge.
- One horse, while not returning to normal, showed substantial improvement.
Significance of the Study
- The study indicates that the West Nile virus is emerging as an increasingly important cause of neurological disease in Canadian horse populations.
- This calls for increased vigilance, understanding, and prevention measures against the West Nile virus within veterinary practices.
Cite This Article
APA
Weese JS, Baird JD, DeLay J, Kenney DG, Staempfli HR, Viel L, Parent J, Smith-Maxie L, Poma R.
(2003).
West Nile virus encephalomyelitis in horses in Ontario: 28 cases.
Can Vet J, 44(6), 469-473.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1. jsweese@uoguelph.ca
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Encephalomyelitis / diagnosis
- Encephalomyelitis / epidemiology
- Encephalomyelitis / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Male
- Ontario / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / diagnosis
- West Nile Fever / epidemiology
- West Nile Fever / veterinary
- West Nile virus / pathogenicity
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