HEALTH ALERT - February 1, 2012
Neurotropic Equine Herpes Virus-1 Found in Southern Ontario and California
Ottawa, ON - Equine Canada's Health and Welfare Committee is notifying horse owners that Neurotropic Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) has been confirmed in horses in Southern Ontario and California.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has been notified of a confirmed case of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), caused by EHV-1, in Southern Ontario. A blood sample from a horse with severe neurological signs tested positive for EHV-1 in early January. The horse was euthanized after its condition deteriorated. Another horse with similar signs was euthanized in late December on a separate location, but unfortunately no samples were taken so the case could not be confirmed as EHV-1.
California has had 16 confirmed cases of EVH1 and two that are believed to have had Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy. For constant updates, please refer to www.thehorse.com. The most recent links to this date are included below.
www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19467
www.poloblogs.com/tournaments-and-results/indio-horse-tests-positive-for-ehv-1-neuropathic-strain.html
www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2012/01/209.shtml
Equine Canada is working with Canada's veterinarians to monitor the situation and keep our members abreast of developments in the United States and Canada. We will post new information and status updates regarding EHV-1 neurological cases on our website at www.equinecanada.ca.
EHV-1 is easily spread by sharing contaminated equipment, contact with an animal carrying the virus, or by the clothing, hands or equipment of visitors to farms who recently had contact with an infected horse.
Outbreak control of nEHV-1 is dependent on proper biosecurity or containment strategies. Equine Canada strongly urges owners to consult the following resources to better understand the nature and control of this infectious disease:
Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan
Facts About Equine Herpes Virus- http://bit.ly/khha91
University of Saskatchewan
http://blogs.usask.ca/EHRF/EHV%20fact%20sheet-1.MAR.20.pdf
OMAFRA
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/prev-disease-spread.htm
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/health.html
American Plant and Health Inspection Service
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf
Owners are encouraged to speak with their veterinarian if they have additional concerns or questions.
About Equine Canada
Equine Canada is Canada's national governing body for equestrianism. A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry. Equine Canada is recognised by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organisation representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca
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