EHV-1 Outbreak

Horses in Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee may have contracted equine herpesvirus-1, and a ranch in Iowa is under quarantine.

The American Quarter Horse Journal
May 16, 2012

Colorado

From the Colorado Department of Agriculture (May 14, 2012)

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. 

Iowa

From the Des Moines Register (May 15, 2015) 

Iowa agriculture officials have taken steps to quarantine an Iowa ranch after a horse sent to Colorado had an equine herpes virus that can be fatal to the animals.

Officials in Colorado euthanized the native Iowa horse after it showed signs of the disease. They also quarantined the Colorado ranch where the horse was staying when it was discovered to be ill.

Iowa Department of Agriculture spokesman Dustin Vande Hoef confirmed that steps already have been taken and that the site in northwest Iowa is quarantined.

The owners are monitoring the other animals, he said.

The quarantine began May 12 and will last 21 days. The department declined to identify the horse owners or give the exact location of the quarantine.    Read more from the Des Moines Register. 

Tennessee

From the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (May 14, 2012) 

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 (May 9, 2012) 

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. 

Mississippi

From the Mississippi Board of Animal Health (May 14, 2012) 

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. 

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.

 

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