In one week, the number of Tristate horses confirmed with West Nile virus has increased from five to 19, state health department statistics in Ohio and Kentucky showed Friday 1/2ndash 3/4 and a Butler County woman reported that two of her three horses have tested positive for the virus.

        No West Nile cases in horses were reported in Indiana.

        “People need to know about this,” said Lisa Frisby of Butler County's Wayne Township. “They don't really know it's here. They think it's up north.”

        Ms. Frisby said her veterinarian, Dr. Dave Kraushar of Agri-Pet Veterinary Service in Ross Township, shared the test results with her Friday, a week after her horse, Lacy, became so ill that she had to be put down. A second horse, Playboy, appears to be recovering well, Ms. Frisby said.

        The mosquito-borne illness, which can cause neurological problems and is potentially fatal, has been spreading into dozens of U.S. states, affecting birds, horses and humans.

        Available figures show surrounding counties' equine cases have increased, compared to figures that were available a week ago:

        As of Friday, there were nine equine cases reported in Hamilton County compared to two a week ago; three in Clermont compared to one a week ago; four in Warren compared to none a week ago, and two in Boone compared to one a week ago.

        Ohio health officials referred questions about equine cases to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which didn't return a reporter's telephone call on Friday.

        No vaccine is ready for humans, and the horse shot has not been widely tested.

        As of Wednesday, Ohio had reported 153 human West Nile cases and seven deaths, including residents of Hamilton, Clermont and Clinton counties. Ohio had the fourth-most cases in the country, behind Illinois, Louisiana and Michigan

        Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control reported at least 1,540 people with West Nile, including 71 deaths. Indiana has reported 57 cases and no fatalities, while Kentucky has reported 18 cases and three fatalities.

        West Nile virus symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen glands. Severe symptoms include severe headaches, neck stiffness, stupor and convulsions. Rare cases can lead to encephalitis or meningitis, which can be fatal.

        Experts predict the illnesses will stop once the first hard frost kills the mosquito population.

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