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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/horse-wnv-third

About what share of horses that get sick with West Nile virus die, per UMN Extension?

West Nile kills about a third of affected horses.

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  1. About one in a hundred
  2. Nearly all of them
  3. About one in three ✔

Why: UMN Extension says West Nile kills about a third of affected horses, and the AAEP puts the death rate for horses with signs near 33 percent. A yearly vaccine is the best protection.

Huh, didn't know that: UMN says that in severe cases about 30 percent of horses go down and can't get up.

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References

Answer: About one in three. UMN Extension says West Nile kills about a third of affected horses, and the AAEP puts the death rate for horses with signs near 33 percent. A yearly vaccine is the best protection.

  1. West Nile Virus in horses (UMN Extension) extension.umn.edu/node/31686
    WNV kills about a third of affected horses.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. West Nile Virus in horses (UMN Extension) extension.umn.edu/node/31686
    WNV infection causes muscle tremors, incoordination and sometimes death.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. West Nile Virus Vaccination Guidelines (AAEP) aaep.org/resource/west-nile-virus-vaccination-guidelines
    The case fatality rate for horses exhibiting clinical signs of WNV infection is approximately 33%.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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