Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) Outbreak

May 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Alert- Keep your horse and barn safe. No horses in or out, sanitize yourself and equipment before and after touching another horse.



A recent disease outbreak of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1) has been traced to horses who attended the National Cutting Horse Associations’ Western National Championships in Odgen, Utah on April 30 – May 8, 2011. Horses who participated in this event may have been exposed to this EHV-1 virus.

Owners of horses who participated in the Odgen, Utah and horses now exposed to those horses who have returned from this event to monitor their horses for clinical signs of disease. A rectal temperature in excess of 102F commonly precedes other clinical signs. Therefore, we are urging owners to take temperatures on each individual horse(s) twice a day. If a temperature above 102F is detected contact your private practitioner immediately. Laboratory submission of nasal swabs and blood samples collected from the exposed horse can be utilized for virus detection and isolation.

The EHV-1 organism spreads quickly from horse to horse and the neurologic form of the virus can reach high morbidity and mortality rates. There are confirmed cases and deaths in several states including Arizona (Rio Verde and Prescott).  The incubation period of EHV-1 is typically 2-10 days. In horses infected with the neurologic strain of EHV-1, clinical signs may include: nasal discharge, incoordination, hind end weakness, recumbency, lethargy, urine dribbling and diminished tail tone. Prognosis depends on severity of signs and the period of recumbency. There is no specific treatment for EHV-1. Treatment may include intravenous fluids, anti-inflammatory drugs and other appropriate supportive treatment. Currently, there is no equine vaccine that has a label claim for protection against the neurological strain of the virus.

This virus is airborne.  Horse-to-horse contact, aerosol transmission, and contaminated hands, equipment, tack, and feed all play a role in disease spread. However, horses with severe clinical signs of neurological EHV-1 illness are thought to have large viral loads in their blood and nasal secretions and therefore, present the greatest danger for spreading the disease. Immediate separation and isolation of identified suspect cases and implementation of appropriate biosecurity measures are key elements for disease control.

For Additional Information check the website of the American Association of Equine Practitioners:  http://www.aaep.org

Wednesday, 18 May 2011 03:24 | Written by Joey Ogburn, President and Founder of the Luv Shack Ranch Horse Rescue. Please visit:  http://www.luvshackranch.net/Latest/equine-herpes-virus-e...
or call 623-205-8528.


Last Updated (Wednesday, 18 May 2011 03:31)

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The Luv Shack Ranch Horse Rescue is a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of abused, neglected and slaughter-bound horses with the ultimate goal of finding each animal a loving, forever home. For more information please visit http://www.luvshackranch.net