Menu

Stay in Touch
Sign up for ENews
Subscribe Now

Unlimited access >

Menu

EHV-1 and EHV-4 Outbreaks

Sport Horse Breeding
#81

Pony is doing okay, just a real bummer to have a URI going around the facility at the same time as this. The vet has seen her twice, given her an immune system shot, and the horses in the barn were all vaccinated for Rhino (wont keep them from getting it but may lessen the symptoms/severity).

Sounds like my trainer is still going to Woodside and the show at the Sonoma Horse Park is still on. Boarders are advised not to go to the show grounds unless entered.

I’ll be really glad when this scare is over. Pony’s first show and inspection was scheduled for June 3rd, it’s now been cancelled :frowning:

#82

PaulaM,

The horse from Alberta who died at the Ogden show with neurological symptoms was negative for EHV-1. He had Wobblers syndrome, which was verified on necropsy. The records, including the extensive necropsy results, were released to the public. People had originally thought he was the source but that has been proven to be flatly untrue. Of course, that’s not to say that some other horse from the area brought the virus to the show. But it wasn’t the horse who was euthed at the show.

As far as I know, “horse Zero” has not yet been identified.

#83

In California (now at 15 confirmed cases)

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html

All states (information is a day behind the CFDA numbers above):

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/ehv_2010_sitrep_051911.pdf

The numbers continue to grow. Several shows around here have cancelled - mostly because we (competitors) have been contacting show managers and saying we aren’t going to show.

308 horses representing 174 different barns from 18 different states attended that Ogden show. Another 729 secondarily exposed horses (i.e. exposed to those who attended the Ogden show). To date, 138 of those barns appear to be “clean” (no horses showing any signs of illness as of yesterday, 11 days after the show ended).

#84

So this is just an unbelievable coincidence??? Wow.:eek:

[QUOTE=J-Lu;5617432]
PaulaM,

The horse from Alberta who died at the Ogden show with neurological symptoms was negative for EHV-1. He had Wobblers syndrome, which was verified on necropsy. The records, including the extensive necropsy results, were released to the public. People had originally thought he was the source but that has been proven to be flatly untrue. Of course, that’s not to say that some other horse from the area brought the virus to the show. But it wasn’t the horse who was euthed at the show.

As far as I know, “horse Zero” has not yet been identified.[/QUOTE]

#85

We’ve scratched our horses from competition in Ca.

As of today, given the new news we were advised to scratch our horses from the Woodside competition and Santa Rosa breedshow.

Here’s our latest facebook correspondence…

Erin Serafini
So looks like I am going to scratch all my horses at woodside! SAD! My vet was very supportive of us going until today when she found out about a 900 horse trail ride in Santa Ynez and one horse tested positive so now 900 horses are contaminated in CA.

We’re not showing anybody anywhere for at least two weeks. My farm is on complete lockdown. No horses in or out PLUS no horse people at my farm. No farriers or vets (unless it’s a dire emergency) for at least two weeks.:frowning:

#86

No. Kidding.

You can see the vet records if you go to the national cutting horse website and look at their links. They suspected Wobblers because the horse didn’t respond to meds for EHV. When they euthed the horse, the state vet did the necropsy and they tested tissues with multiple tests for EHV-1 and all tests were negative. However, there was observable cervical constriction of the spinal cord consistent with Wobblers Syndrome. They appear to be very confident with their diagnosis based on pre and post mortem findings.

I am so appreciative that the owner released the vet records to the public. It just helps everyone figure out what had actually happened.

#87

Yep, I advised scratching my horse from the upcoming Alb. NM show. A horse in the Alb area died today of EHV-1 and was at the Ogden show. It’s just not worth it, and the “official” advice seems to be to please self-quarantine to prevent spreading. The National Cutting Horse association advised to suspend all shows right now. I must say, this organization is admirably proactive in capping this outbreak and dispensing information to the public.

#88

[QUOTE=DownYonder;5614497]
I find this troubling. Why bother treating a horse affected with neuro EHV if it can become a lifetime carrier with the potential to trigger another outbreak at some point down the road? Wouldn’t it be more prudent to euthanize ALL affected horses in an attempt to eventually eradicate the mutated strain of the virus?[/QUOTE]

OMGosh, I hate to say it but if this is true, then I agree with DownYonders decision.

#89

Chris,

Is there an article anywhere stating this information?

#90

From The Horse -

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=18280

#91

[QUOTE=Dressage_Diva333;5617868]
Chris,

Is there an article anywhere stating this information?[/QUOTE]

No. I can’t find anything to confirm this so it may be a rumor. I’m sorry if it is. I’ll talk to Erin today and try to find out where she got it. I know her vet told her to stay home.

CDFA is hands on on this, not sitting in Sacramento waiting for data to come in. Local vets get their info from them, no vice-versa. From CDFA: California EHV-1 Disease Update as of 3pm 5/20/2011

…* California has two new confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) caused by EHV-1. There are 15 confirmed EHM cases in the state.

  • The positive confirmed cases are located in the following 10 counties: Amador(1), Glenn(2), Kern(2), Los Angeles(1), Marin(1), Napa(1), Placer (2), Plumas(1), Shasta(1), and Stanislaus(3).

  • All confirmed positive EHM CA cases participated in the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah.

  • One confirmed positive EHM horse was euthanized after showing severe neurological signs associated with EHM while at the Kern County Cutting Horse Event on May 13th in Bakersfield, CA.

  • Two confirmed positive EHM horses are being treated at the University of California Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Davis.

  • Six positive horses display neurological signs. The other cases have only been febrile.

  • All positive confirmed EHM cases are under a State Quarantine.

  • A suspect case of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is under investigation by Animal Health Branch veterinarians. This mare did not participate in the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National championships in Ogden, Utah from April 30 – May 8, 2011. This mare did participate in the Rancheros Vistadores ride in Santa Ynez, CA from May 5 – 12, 2011. This mare is exhibiting neurological signs compatible with a number of equine diseases or conditions, including EHM. Initial testing did not provide a confirmatory diagnosis. Confirmatory tests are ongoing at the veterinary hospital where this mare is quarantined, isolated and receiving intensive supportive treatment. CDFA will continue to monitor the situation and provide daily updates.

  • Currently, in California, all confirmed cases of EHM are horses that participated in the Ogden, Utah cutting event.See More
    about an hour ago · LikeUnlike.

#92

BC has 3 confirmed cases of neurological EHV1 and that’s holding steady and apparently those horses are recovering.

So far, Alberta has held steady at ONE confirmed case of neurological EHV1 and this horse is recovering.

There are 2 cases of confirmed respiratory EHV1, both recovering. There are some tests pending on horses who attended the Utah show who have developed mild respiratory disease.

http://www.mooreequine.ca/

#93

[QUOTE=Dressage_Diva333;5617868]
Chris,

Is there an article anywhere stating this information?[/QUOTE]

It is mentioned here…

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html

#94

I think part of the issue is that the virus has many strains. It is not an uncommon disease in normal years and I am sure there are several reported cases in most areas. So now that it is major news, every case is being reported especially in places like Alberta, where it is mandatory. But I wonder how many cases we have each year anyway but now those “normal” cases are being attributed to the “outbreak”.
I am glad people are taking precautions but I would like a bigger view of the issue instead of just the press releases right now. There is always political and economic repercussions to these issues that often prompt the information release at the time.

From above link

Estimates indicate 50-75% of horses under two years of age have been infected with at least one of the respiratory forms of EHV. Treatment is supportive and antivirals have been used with mixed success.

VVVV Good article! Thanks.

#95

This article is very informative:

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=18264&src=VW

#96

What I see with this … It’s pay now or pay later.

This is one time when this natural disaster, as it were, has no power beyond what people give it. That is, if everyone is in quarantine, the virus comes to the end of the road in fairly short order.

If people continue to provide opportunities for the virus to spread, it continues to represent a risk to horses. The horses themselves have an economic (as well as emotional) value. Just as do the horse shows. If people keep the virus going both the shows and the horses will suffer indefinitely. And if continually spread, over time it becomes more and more difficult to contain it.

To me it seems that in the long run it will be much cheaper, and much, much quicker, to suck it up now and bring it to a stop. (Even if it can’t be stopped 100%.)

#97

[QUOTE=OverandOnward;5618357]
What I see with this … It’s pay now or pay later.

This is one time when this natural disaster, as it were, has no power beyond what people give it. That is, if everyone is in quarantine, the virus comes to the end of the road in fairly short order.

If people continue to provide opportunities for the virus to spread, it continues to represent a risk to horses. The horses themselves have an economic (as well as emotional) value. Just as do the horse shows. If people keep the virus going both the shows and the horses will suffer indefinitely. And if continually spread, over time it becomes more and more difficult to contain it.

To me it seems that in the long run it will be much cheaper, and much, much quicker, to suck it up now and bring it to a stop. (Even if it can’t be stopped 100%.)[/QUOTE]

Absolutely agree.

#98

Thank you CDE Driver for the updated information. I’m still going to ere on the side of caution and keep my horses isolated. I 've had way too much heartache in years past to even take a little chance.

#99

I have talked to a number of friends in No. Calif hunter jumper barns and many barns are on lock down as are many of those with private barns. We’ve opted for no shows/travel for at least 2 weeks, hopefully giving the vets time to assess whether the outbreak is contained. If we don’t get clearance from the vets and the CDFA, we will not travel for a longer period. Several big and small h/j shows have cancelled; I thank these show managers for putting a priority on containing this outbreak.

#100

From - The Horse

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=18264

Get your Digital Subscription here - only $21.95 / year

Subscribe here
See gift options

Sign up to our monthly newsletter!

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.

Copyright © 2023 The Chronicle of the Horse