205 W 5th Ave Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 08/21/2015 - A second horse has been confirmed with West Nile virus in Kittitas County. The first confirmed case in 2015 was a 14 year old quarter horse gelding. That horse is currently being treated. The second horse is a 15 year old quarter horse gelding. The second horse has been euthanized. Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed neither horse travelled outside of Kittitas County. Both horses were from Ellensburg, Washington.
There is a vaccine available for horses to prevent WNV, which should be administered annually in the spring. Most horses do not become ill and will show no symptoms of WNV. If symptoms are displayed they may include loss of appetite, loss of coordination, confusion, fever, stiffness, muscle tremors, and muscles weakness (especially in the hindquarters). About one-third of all horses that become ill will die (Washington State Department of Agriculture). For more information about West Nile virus, visit the DOH website at http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/IllnessandDisease/WestNileVirus. For questions regarding WNV vaccine for horses, please contact your local veterinarian office. For questions regarding the confirmed horse cases, please contact the Kittitas County Public Health Department at 509-962-7515.
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Kasey Knutson, 509-962-7515