Grandview sees first case of West Nile virus in a horse

A 2-year-old Andalusian mixed-breed mare in Grandview is the first confirmed horse in Washington to contract West Nile virus this year.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture reported the case Monday afternoon. There were 36 cases of horses with the mosquito-born illness in 2015 in Washington. Nationally, there were 225 equine cases.

The Andalusian was not vaccinated against West Nile. It was showing neurologic signs of the virus, including stumbling and difficulties eating.

The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pullman, operated by Washington State University, reported the case to the state veterinarian Friday.

Officials encourage horse owners to vaccinate their animals. West Nile is fatal to horses in about a third of cases.

This story was originally published July 25, 2016 at 7:45 PM with the headline "Grandview sees first case of West Nile virus in a horse."