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Agricultural News


EHV Confined to Western United States- Horse Industry Nervously Watching Disease Spread

Wed, 18 May 2011 21:14:38 CDT

EHV Confined to Western United States- Horse Industry Nervously Watching Disease Spread Animal Health officials nationwide are currently investigating the possible spread of the neurologic form of Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1) disease, which has been detected in horses that participated in the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah from April 29 - May 8. EHV-1 is a viral disease of equine which does not affect humans. The neurologic form of the disease can manifest itself as hind limb weakness, tremors, recumbency or other nervous system type symptoms which may be preceded by fever or respiratory signs. The disease is most commonly spread by aerosol transmission and can result in death of the affected animal.


Texas Animal Health Officials are currently investigating approximately 20 horses in Texas that were reported to have attended the event. All horses known to have attended the event are under movement restrictions. Texas has only one confirmed clinical case of neurologic EHV-1 so far, which was a horse originating from New Mexico that sought treatment at a vet clinic in West Texas earlier this week. The horse has since been returned to New Mexico and is now quarantined on its premises of origin. A number of other states have also reported clinical cases in horses that attended the event. Texas veterinarians and TAHC officials will continue to monitor all exposed horses closely and it is possible that new cases will be diagnosed. "Strict adherence to the imposed movement restrictions and practicing good biosecurity procedures by the involved horse owners will be the key to limiting the scope of this situation," stated Dr. Dee Ellis, Texas State Veterinarian.


At this point, the only major horse show event nationally that has been cancelled was the Breeders Invitational Cutting Horse Event that was scheduled to be underway at this time at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds.


The latest numbers that have surfaced show 15 horses in the western US have been confirmed with the disease- Click here for a map showing the distribution of the disease and some information in the related blog.


In Colorado, where they had two horses confirmed with the disease that apparently were at the National Cutting Horse Western Championships in Utah, Colorado State University closed down their Vet School facilities earlier this week. Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado issued a statement on May 16 regarding a university decision to restrict access to the hospital. The text of the statement reads:

"CSU Veterinary TeachingColorado State University logo Hospital leadership has made a decision based on best practices to restrict equine and camelid client movement to the VTH for appointments. At this time, all non-emergency cases are being rescheduled as a precaution. This precaution is designed to prevent horses from multiple locations from coming into contact with each other, based on concerns about the current widespread outbreak.

"The VTH's main equine service area in the veterinary hospital is not housing any equine cases suspected to have been exposed to equine herpesvirus and this is merely a precaution to protect the facility and client horses. Any horses that may have been exposed to the virus will be observed and treated in a separate isolation unit that is not connected to the main hospital, and veterinarians are screening all emergency cases carefully."

               
Horse owners are advised to contact their veterinarian if they have any questions concerning the health of their equine. Biosecurity measures recommended for the exposed horses include isolation, daily temperature monitoring, use of separate tack and buckets, use of protective outer clothing by caretakers, disinfectant foot baths, and handling exposed animals last when feeding or providing care.

               

Horse owners planning on attending upcoming events are encouraged to contact event organizers in advance in case they have voluntarily cancelled the event. Horse owners should also contact the state of destination for any out of state shows they wish to attend to determine their latest entry requirements. State Veterarians and other animal health groups will continue to monitor the current situation and will provide timely updates as new information is received.



   



 

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