EHV1 outbreak information

Dutch_Lovin_Dressage · August 22, 2020, 6:23am

Washington State has 4 confirmed cases:

http://www.facebook.com/notes/pilchuck-veterinary-equine-hospital/ehv-1-update-32912/10150788895532931

pal-o-mino · August 22, 2020, 6:28am

Another sick horse at PWEC, sent the sample off today. Four stalls down from the original sick horse.

Peggy · August 22, 2020, 7:01am

From the CDFA website: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html

The LA County horse (non-neuro strain of EHV with neuro symptoms) was euthanized due to laminitis.

Meanwhile a horse in Santa Barbara county presented with acute neuro symptoms, was euthanized the next day, and necropsy results have confirmed EHM.

Back to PWEC - did we ever establish that the LA county horse was the PWEC horse, despite the gender inconsistency? Also, according to the local ETI FB page, the state had lifted the quarantine at PWEC, but the county was considering continuing it. A decision was to be reached today.

Peggy · August 22, 2020, 7:14am

Information on the PW Equestrian Center horse and some good advice, both equestrian and other, from Ruth Sobek, one of the area vets:

From Dr. Sobeck’s FB page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruth-V-Sobeck-DVM/263586575620), posted yesterday:

Apparently there is still a lot of confusion and mis-information out there about the recent cases of Equine Herpes Virus-1 cases at the Peter Weber Equestrian Center in Rolling Hiss Estates, CA.

A horse had tested positive for the non-neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1) that was stabled at the Peter Weber Equestrian Center. No nearby horses were known to be sick at the time. It is unclear if he was infected from another horse or if his illness was due to a recrudescence of a latent infection, as is know to happen with Herpes viruses. (It is thought that all adult horses are initially infected with EHV-1 by the time they are 2 year olds.) He began to show neurologic symptoms on the evening of Friday, March 23, and laboratory results received Wednesday, March 29, confirmed the infection. The horse was recovering in isolation at an equine hospital but subsequently developed laminitis, possibly from the medication, and has been euthanized. This older gelding did not attend any horse shows and had moved to the stable from a private back yard about a month prior to his becoming ill.

A second horse at the equestrian center developed the more typical flu-like symptoms on Monday, March 26. Initially he tested negative for all infectious agents included in the UC Davis equine respiratory PCR panel, but was found to be actively shedding low numbers of virus from his nasal mucosa 7 days later, when he was fully recovered. The California State Veterinarian’s office was not, and is not, concerned about this case.

Two other horses became ill at the stable around April 1-2, each of whom have tested negative on two separate tests four days apart. Each still has problems relative to their case presentations, which appear unrelated to EHV-1.

It is important to understand that the strain of EHV-1 found in two horses at this stable were NOT the “neuropathogenic” strain which caused the high numbers of neurologic disease such as was seen in Orange County this year in January. The quarantine has been lifted from the stable, yet owners should continue to be diligent and use good sense in avoiding unnecessary contact with potentially infected horses, no matter the disease.

Please, do not forget, that Equine Herpes Virus (also known as “Rhino”) is still a Herpes virus, and will act like a Herpes virus, where the virus can lay dormant in the body for years and find an inconvenient time to pop up and show signs of disease. They do NOT have to “catch” it from some other horse, as adults.

Finally, I would like to commend Gil & Doreen Houle, and their excellent support staff, for their untiring efforts in containing the disease and avoiding potential spread. They have been a “stable” force in an atmosphere of fear and hostility surrounding this unfortunate time.

luvmytbs · August 22, 2020, 9:18am

http://www.kentuckyhorse.org/attachments/wysiwyg/25/TNTrailRide_KY_update.pdf

2012 – EQUINE ILLNESS - TN’s BUCKSNORT TRAIL RIDE Kentucky’s Response and Position - Updated May 10, 2012

Questions or Comments to Rusty1.Ford@ky.gov

Late yesterday afternoon the TN Department of Agriculture alerted Kentucky’s Agriculture Commissioner, James Comer and staff in the KY State Veterinarians Office of an illness affecting horses that had participated in the Bucksnort Trail Ride held in Tennessee late last month (April). Information provided by Tennessee officials describe horses as presenting with varying symptoms that include neurological abnormalities. The information released yesterday also provided that the illness has resulted in four equine deaths with four additional horses demonstrating similar symptoms. Earlier today we learned that preliminary diagnostic testing gives evidence that one or more of these sick horses may have contracted Equine Herpes Virus Type-1 (EHV-1).

Management at the trail ride provided to TN officials a listing of participants that included seven (7) Kentucky residents. These individuals participated with eight (8) horses originating from the Kentucky counties of Edmonson, Logan, Simpson, Todd and Warren. One of these horses is included as a fatality of the illness. Veterinarians and the owners of the remaining seven horses all report the horses returned from the trail ride in good form and remain bright, alert, responsive and healthy this morning. These seven 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 KY prior to its expiring 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.

The Kentucky State Veterinarians Office is providing the following ‘preliminary’ information and our position in response to a diagnosis of EHV-1 having caused the neurological disease being described.
Investigative information believed to be accurate includes:

It is reported eight (8) horses participating in a Tennessee trail ride have become affected with an illness thought to be a communicable disease with a tentative diagnosis of EHM. Horses demonstrating illness have or are residing in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky.
Four of the cases have resulted in equine deaths.
Preliminary PCR testing has detected EHV-1 viral DNA in at least two of these cases. Additional and more definitive testing continues.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has provided to officials in bordering states a listing of individuals that participated in the trail ride.

Kentucky Response:

Investigations conducted within Kentucky identified eight Kentucky horses had participated. Results of the investigation demonstrate that at this time Kentucky’s equine population was minimally impacted.
Resulting from the apparent and potential spread of this illness, we encourage elevated biosecurity precautions be implemented by Kentucky facility managers and managers of shows/exhibitions/trail rides etc held in Kentucky.
We have been contacted by and provided guidance to trail ride managers on precautionary measures that should be implemented stressing that the goal of a biosecurity plan is to prevent the transmission of infectious agents among individuals.
Our additional ‘recommendation’ is that horsemen consult their veterinarians, and after evaluating their animal’s vaccination status against encephalitic causing diseases such as West Nile virus, consider if there is a need to stimulate immune response by vaccinating against EHV-

We acknowledge the available vaccines’ labels make no claim to prevent neurologic disease, but based on our successful experiences managing outbreaks of this disease, and in consultation with infectious disease experts and research scientist, we continue to be of the opinion the vaccine does have a meaningful level of efficacy and minimizes impact of this disease.

Commissioner Comer and Dr. Stout have directed Animal Health personnel to work closely with show managers and veterinarians to insure immediate notification of any suspected communicable disease is made to appropriate officials. Commissioner Comer stressed early notification allows a quick response by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture which in turn provides opportunity to minimize any potential direct and indirect negative impact to our industry might suffer.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as information becomes available.

Rusty Ford
Equine Programs Manager
Office of Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert Stout

HandsomesMom · August 22, 2020, 9:23am

Anyone know if the rumor about EHV-1 in Meridian MS is true? That is about 30-40 miles from me and just too close to home for my taste. Also do I need to put my horses on lockdown? I had planned on taking horses to a lesson and show this week and one needs X-rays, but now Im worried. I’m just a seventeen year old worried about her horses

Essie · August 22, 2020, 9:25am

From the Colorado AG site:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2012
Contact: Christi Lightcap, (303) 239-4190, Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us

Equine Herpesvirus Confirmed in Colorado Horse

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture is investigating a confirmed case of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) within the state; a quarantine has been placed on a Douglas County premises.

The horse was transported from Iowa by a private owner and was euthanized after showing severe neurological signs associated with the disease.

“The Department is taking quick and appropriate actions to control and mitigate this disease,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr. “We will continue to trace the movement of this horse and those horses it came into contact with in order to protect Colorado’s equine industry.”

EHV-1 is not transmissible to people; it can be a serious disease of horses that can cause respiratory, neurologic disease and death. The most common way for EHV-1 to spread is by direct horse-to-horse contact. The virus can also spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing and hands.

Symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance, lethargy, and the inability to rise. While there is no cure, the symptoms of the disease may be treatable.

7HL · August 22, 2020, 10:11am

EHV-1 Outbreak

http://aqha.com/Showing/News-Articles/05102012-EHV1-Outbreak.aspx

EHV-1 Outbreak

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

jenm · August 22, 2020, 3:46pm

UC Davis Center for Equine Health:

West Nile Virus update: There are now a total of four horses that have confirmed positive for West Nile Virus. The horses are located in Fresno, Glenn, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. The most recent case is a 3-year-old unvaccinated filly in Fresno county. Please vaccinate your horses if you haven’t already! For more information, visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/wnv_info.html/