The number of West Nile cases continues to mount in our area. Now one local veterinarian who helps diagnose those positive cases, is diagnosed himself.

41-year-old Dr. Joe Staples of Glasgow is now recovering at home after a long stay in the hospital. Staples was hospitalized after suffering from fatigue and headaches. A spinal tap later revealed he had indeed contracted the West Nile virus. Currently, Barren County leads the state in the number of confirmed West Nile cases. Statewide, the number of positive horses has grown to 185.

Following is a summary of confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in equine in Kentucky this year to date:

NUMBER: 185

COUNTIES: Adair (10), Barren (16), Boone (1), Bourbon (4), Boyle (4), Breckinridge (1), Butler (1), Calloway (4), Carlisle (3), Casey (1), Cumberland (1), Daviess (2), Fayette (16), Fleming (10), Franklin (1), Garrard (1), Graves (1), Green (4), Greenup (1), Hardin (1), Hart (2), Henry (7), Hopkins (1), Jefferson (1), Jessamine (2), Larue (1), Laurel (1), Lewis (2), Lincoln (2), Logan (5), Marion (11), Marshall (1), Mason (1), McCracken (1), Mercer (4), Metcalfe (4), Monroe (1), Nelson (20), Oldham (2), Pulaski (1), Russell (4), Scott (1), Shelby (4), Spencer (1), Todd (8), Trigg (1), Union (7), Washington (3), Webster (1), Whitley (1), Woodford (1)

BREEDS: Tennessee Walking Horse (56), Quarter Horse (46), Thoroughbred (16), Standardbred (14), American Saddlebred (9), Paint (8), Arabian (5), Saddle Horse (4), Pony (4), Appaloosa (4), Mixed (3), Foxtrotter (2), Belgian (2), Draft (2), Mustang (2), Warmblood (1), Palomino (1), Mule (1), Haflinger (1), Miniature (1), 3 not provided

DISPOSITIONS: 112 living, 57 euthanized, 16 died of natural causes

AGE RANGE: 3 months to 25 years

NUMBER REPORTED VACCINATED FOR WNV: 19 (7 euthanized, 12 alive)

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture contributed to this report www.kyagr.com