ST. PAUL — The first confirmed equine detection of West Nile Virus led to the death of an unvaccinated horse on Aug. 11 in Kittson County, Minnesota. Since that time, six more horses have tested positive for the virus.

On July 28, a veterinarian examined a 3-year-old Pintabian filly. The animal was eating and drinking but was unable to stand unassisted. Anti-inflammatory medication and steroids were administered, and a blood sample was collected for West Nile Virus testing. The filly continued to decline despite treatment and died three days later. The blood sample confirmed West Nile Virus on Aug. 11 at North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The horse was not vaccinated against West Nile, according to a Board of Animal Health news release.

Since Aug. 9, six more

See Full Page