A horse in the Baltic area of Holmes County was euthanized this week after contracting West Nile virus from a mosquito bite.
According to the Holmes County General Health District, horses that contract the virus can develop problems swallowing, impaired vision, limb paralysis, muscle twitching, fever, and aimless wandering. They are also at risk of going into a coma.
Health officials said the best protection for horses is to have them vaccinated against the virus and to house them indoors at dusk and dawn. Other precautions include turning off barn lights and removing any birds such as chickens that are close to the stable.
Officials said any pools of standing water near where horses are housed should be eliminated.
RELATED: First cases of West Nile Virus confirmed in horses in Northeast Ohio this year
