The Department of Agriculture confirms a second horse in Delaware has tested positive for West Nile virus. Together, they are the first equine cases discovered in ten years.
According the department, the two-year-old filly is from Sussex County. Delaware’s first equine case tested positive in Kent County last month. Both horses have since recovered.
Horses and humans can contract West Nile virus, if bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, however, the viruses cannot be not transmitted between horses and people.
Last week, the state’s Division of Public Health confirmed its first human case of the virus for the year. A woman in her early 20s tested positive for the virus in New Castle County.
Last year, Delaware had nine human cases of West Nile Virus and one death. The state’s worst year was 2003 when 17 cases were reported with two fatalities.
