10 EHV-1 confirmed cases from cutting horses attending the 2011 NCHA Western National Championships
May 13, 2011 (with updates to May 18th) – A recent disease outbreak of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1) has been traced to horses who attended the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships in Odgen, Utah on April 30 – May 8, 2011. California horses who participated in this event may have been exposed to this EHV-1 virus.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture encourages owners of horses who participated in the Odgen, Utah event to monitor their horses for clinical signs of disease. A rectal temperature in excess of 102F commonly precedes other clinical signs. Therefore, we are urging owners to take temperatures on each individual horse(s) twice a day. If a temperature above 102F is detected contact your private practitioner immediately. Laboratory submission of nasal swabs and blood samples collected from the exposed horse can be utilized for virus detection and isolation.
The EHV-1 organism spreads quickly from horse to horse and the neurologic form of the virus can reach high morbidity and mortality rates. The incubation period of EHV-1 is typically 2-10 days. In horses infected with the neurologic strain of EHV-1, clinical signs may include: nasal discharge, incoordination, hind end weakness, recumbency, lethargy, urine dribbling and diminished tail tone. Prognosis depends on severity of signs and the period of recumbency. There is no specific treatment for EHV-1. Treatment may include intravenous fluids, anti-inflammatory drugs and other appropriate supportive treatment. Currently, there is no equine vaccine that has a label claim for protection against the neurological strain of the virus.
Horse-to-horse contact, aerosol transmission, and contaminated hands, equipment, tack, and feed all play a role in disease spread. However, horses with severe clinical signs of neurological EHV-1 illness are thought to have large viral loads in their blood and nasal secretions and therefore, present the greatest danger for spreading the disease. Immediate separation and isolation of identified suspect cases and implementation of appropriate biosecurity measures are key elements for disease control.
For Additional Information:
Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Brochure: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf.
CDFA Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Fact Sheet: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/pdfs/EHV-1FactSheetSept2010.pdf.
USDA Resources: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/.
American Association of Equine Practitioners Fact Sheet: http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Equine%20Herpes%20Virus.pdf.
Contact us for more information:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Animal Health Branch
1220 N Street, Room A-107
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 654-1447
Fax: (916) 653-2215
or send an email to: ahbfeedback@cdfa.ca.gov
From: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/equine_herpes_virus.html
Equine Herpes Virus Alert
EHV-1 Disease Update as of 8am 5/18/2010
10 confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy caused by EHV-1.
All Confirmed Cases are Cutting Horses who participated in the Odgen, Utah National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships
The positive confirmed cases are located in the following counties: Amador(1), Kern (2), Napa (1), Stanislaus(4), and Placer (2).
One positive horse was euthanized after showing severe neurological signs associated with the disease while at the Kern County Cutting Horse Event on May 13 in Bakersfield, CA
A second positive horse was transported from the Bakersfield event on May 13 to University of California Davis and is undergoing treatment.
All positive confirmed cases will be placed under quarantine.
Currently there is no evidence of EHV-1 disease spread outside the cutting horses who participated in the Odgen, Utah event.
Biosecurity Recommendations for horses who attended the Odgen, Utah Event or the Bakersfield, CA event:
Isolate exposed horse a minimum of 30 feet away from all other horses (round pen if necessary) for 21 days.
Monitor temperature twice a day for 14 days.
Immediately report temperatures over 102F to your private veterinarian.
Use separate equipment, bucket, halters/leads for isolated horse.
Use protective clothing when handling isolated horse: coveralls, boot covers, gloves. Do not use same clothing with other horses.
Ideally, use separate personnel for isolated horses.
Restrict movement.
Key to limiting disease spread is Isolation of sick horses. Sick horses are shedding virus and should be removed from exposing additional horses.
California Department of Food and Agriculture is working with animal Health officials in the western states to investigate the source of the disease outbreak.
Other links:
http://blogs.equisearch.com/horsehealth/tag/biosecurity-virus/
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/18/us-horses-herpes-idustre74h0ek20110518
http://www.aaep.org/ehv_resources.htm
Important Notification of Show Cancellation
Due to the outbreak of the EHV-1 Virus, the GSHA Ozark Classic scheduled for May 21-22 has been cancelled.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) says the outbreak is affecting an unconfirmed number of horses across the United States and Canada.
All pre-entry fees will be refunded to exhibitors.
The GSHA apologies for any inconvenience. However, we feel it is in everyone’s best interest to refrain from travel with their horses at this time.
Mark your calendars for our Two Day Faux Show & Blue Ridge Classic Show, Asheville, NC on July 14-17, 2011.
Fun and Educational Two Day Faux Show Before the Blue Ridge Classic – There will be clinics on many topics ranging from Presentation for In Hand Classes, Showmanship, Grooming, Nutrition and Conditioning, GSHA Show Rules, Dressage just to name a few. Bring your horse early to the show and practice with top trainers. Get ready to shine in the show ring. Auditors Welcome. www.GypsyShowHorse.org.
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