MERIAL has alo provided a link to www.outbreak-alert.com site that allows horse owners to get free text or email alerts when a disease has been found in their area OR in an area they may be traveling to. Thanks to Beckie Peskin for providing this information to our readers.
Florida
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (February 27, 2013)
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced seven positive cases of equine herpesvirus-1 confirmed in horses in Florida. Six of the confirmed cases are linked to the Horse Shows in the Sun event in Ocala. The department issued a quarantine order to the entire venue hosting the HITS event and other areas where exposed horses have traveled.
Continue reading the Florida Department of Agriculture’s status on the Florida EHV-1 outbreak.
Quebec
From www.thehorse.com (February 28, 2013)
One mare is dead and two horses are showing neurologic signs in an outbreak of the neurologic form of EHV-1 in Quebec that has left more than 50 horses in quarantine.
A 12-year-old Quarter Horse mare showed signs of illness last week, including fever, lethargy, and difficulty standing and walking, according to treating veterinarian Dr. Isabelle Morin of the Clinique Vétérinaire Sagamie in Alma, Quebec. The horse then “rapidly deteriorated” over the next 24 hours and was unable to stand. She was humanely euthanized.
Necropsy results confirmed the presence of neurologic EHV-1, Morin said. All 53 remaining horses at the Bédard Quarter Horse riding stable in Chicoutimi, Quebec, were immediately placed in quarantine by their veterinarians and their owner.
Read the rest of this story from www.thehorse.com.
Utah
From the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (February 27, 2013)
The Utah state veterinarian has issued several quarantines in Cache County following the confirmation of four cases of EHV-1, along with one other suspected case. The state veterinarian’s office believes the outbreak is confined to Cache County, but horse owners throughout Utah are advised to take extra biosecurity precautions when taking their animals to shows or public arenas. No restrictions on horse shows or other events are in place.
Two the five horses have been humanely euthanized because of their condition. The three other animals are under quarantine at their private locations, and are under veterinary care. The Cache County Fairgrounds Horse Arena has closed its riding arena until further notice as it is believed that most of the horses had been at the facility within the past week.
Continue reading the statement from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
New Jersey
From the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (February 22, 2013)
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture quarantined two farms – one in Franklinville, Gloucester County, and one in Dennisville, Cape May County – after horses at each farm were exposed to a horse that developed the highly infectious equine herpes myeloencephalopathy.
Testing confirmed the horse developed EHM caused by EHV-1. The horse became recumbent and was humanely euthanized on February 15.
Read the rest of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s status on the state’s EHV-1 outbreak.
EHV-1 Preparedness
Please use these resources regarding EHV-1, EHM and biosecurity, brought to you by The American Quarter Horse Journal:
- Travel Safely: Good biosecurity both at home and on the road will help keep your horses healthy.
- The Facts on EHV-1: Recognize the signs of equine herpesvirus-1 and learn how to protect your horse from the risks of the virus.
- Strike a Balance With EHV-1: Learn how to strike a balance between showing and protecting your herd against equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy with tips from Dr. Tom Lenz.
- EHV-1 Testing: AQHA Professional Horseman Al Dunning weighs in on his experience with EHV-1 testing, and Dr. Tom Lenz suggests alternatives to testing.
To learn more about EHV-1 and EHM, visit the AQHA EHV-1 Information page
