Mississippi
From the Mississippi Board of Animal Health
As of 4 p.m. on May 14, no new cases of equine herpesvirus-1 had been
reported in Mississippi, and the affected and exposed horses continue
to be isolated and monitored.
The last cases were reported on May 8 when the Mississippi state
veterinarian’s office was notified of two confirmed cases of EHV. In
addition, four other cases of suspected EHV-1 had also been reported. To
date, three of these horses have died or been euthanized and three are
ill with neurological disease. All of the horses recently returned from
the Bucksnort Trail Ride held April 23-30 in Humphreys County,
Tennessee. This event drew approximately 100 horses from multiple
states. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky
Department of Agriculture have also reported cases in their state
related to this same trail ride.
Continue reading the rest of this update from the Mississippi Board of Animal Health.
Colorado
From the Colorado Department of Agriculture
The Colorado Department of Agriculture is investigating one confirmed
case of EHV-1 within the state; a quarantine has been placed on a
Douglas County premises.
The affected horse was imported by a private owner from Iowa through a
transport company and was euthanized after showing severe neurological
signs associated with the disease. There are three other facilities in
Colorado that received horses from the same transport company. Those
horses are isolated and are being closely monitored for any clinical
signs of EHV.
Unlike the EHV-1 outbreak in 2011, this case is not associated with any
equine show or event. To date, no other horses have become ill with
similar signs. With the exception of the index and direct contact
horses’ premises the state veterinarian is not recommending movement or
event restrictions.
Keep reading the rest of this story from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Tennessee
From the Tennessee Department of Agriculture
As of May 14, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture has received a
total of nine reports of suspected or confirmed cases of the EHV-1 in
Tennessee horses that participated in or were exposed to horses that
participated in the Bucksnort Trail Ride held April 23-30 in Humphreys
County. The neurological form of EHV-1 has been confirmed in one case.
Six of the suspected cases have been confirmed as showing clinical signs
of the disease and are being isolated and monitored. In two cases,
horses have been humanely euthanized.
The Kentucky state veterinarian’s office has obtained a list and has
contacted each participant to make them aware of possible exposure.
Restrictions on horses that attended this event are being evaluated on a
case-by-case basis. The event drew approximately 100 horses from
multiple states and animal health officials have also been notified in
those states.
Continue reading this release from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Kentucky
From the Office of Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout
On May 9, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture alerted Kentucky’s
Agriculture Commissioner, James Comer, and staff in the Kentucky State
Veterinarians Office of Dr. Robert Stout of an illness affecting horses
that had participated in the Bucksnort Trail Ride held in Tennessee in
late April. Information provided by Tennessee officials describe horses
as presenting varying symptoms that include neurological abnormalities.
The information released on May 9 also provided that the illness has
resulted in four equine deaths with four additional horses demonstrating
similar symptoms. On May 10, officials learned that preliminary
diagnostic testing gives evidence that one or more of the sick horses
may have contracted equine herpesvirus type-1.
Management at the trail ride provided Tennessee officials with a listing
of participants that included seven Kentucky residents. These
individuals participated with eight horses originating from the Kentucky
counties of Edmonson, Logan, Simpson, Todd and Warren. One of the
horses is included as a fatality of the illness. Veterinarians and the
owners of the remaining seven horses all report that the horses returned
from the trail ride in good form and remain bright, alert, responsive
and healthy this morning. The seven remaining horses are not known to
have direct contact with any sick animal and will continue to be
monitored closely. Diagnostic samples collected from the single ill
horse residing in Kentucky prior to its death have been submitted for
diagnostic testing. Other horses residing on this same farm are under
veterinary restriction pending a determination as to what caused the
horse’s illness.
Keep reading this release from the office of Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout.
Journal Resources
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.
