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  Discussion on Equine Herpes Virus
Author Message
New Member:
Kriseyc

Posted on Saturday, Jan 20, 2007 - 10:19 pm:

In the past few months the Equine Herpes Virus has become a major concern on the East Coast of the United States. I'm curious if there is any current information and ways of tracking the spread of this seemingly very contagious and potentially dangerous virus. Dr.O, I have read your articles. Is there anything information you can add to those of who board our horses at facilities where horses come and go from the property?
Thanks for any information!
Member:
Gwen

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 9:03 am:

From what I have been reading, the best way to keep our horses safe is to keep them vaccinated and check their vitals when concerns pop up. I just read a thread that said that there really isn't a major outbreak right now, it is just "high profile" because of the area it initially came about and with high profile horses. That is just my 2 cents (for what it is REALLY worth )
Member:
Hpyhaulr

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 10:33 am:

There is another thread on here which has been mapping the progress or the lack of it on the EHV-1 issue. Currently FLorida DOA has lifted the quarantine on a lot of the originally shut sites including Jupiter and Ocala, and opened up the trails in Wellington, but there ARE still facilities shut down. As I understand it, the vax is basicaly being done as a public service as it reduces the capability to shed (spread) the virus as a latent carrier. TO go back to square one... 15 horses came in from Europe Last week in Nov '06 with the virus contamination on board. They were not tested for it upon arrival as it is not new to the USA. There have been minimal cases, but as they exist, it is not a standard test upon arrival at quarantine. 5 of those went to Wellington (reference Florida DOA site) which means there were 10 others scattered about. Of those, 1 mare got on board a trailer with another horse from Long Island bound for California. the van was then sealed as the mare was bound for CEM quarantine in KY, after she offloaded in Ky, the van proceeded west picking up 2 TB fillies who have tested negative. The LI horse going to CA did not make it. After congestion and runny nose the neurological symptoms arose and he was put down. The mare was held in KY after this happened, and while she tested negative and was released, she was the only common denominator, and the conclusion was that she was a carrier. The last time I checked with the USDA, which was a couple of weeks ago, they had tracked the other 9 horses and there were no further outbreaks. Supposedly, there were primary and secondary cases, but I am unaware of any tertiary cases. I am recently concerned about this as I am hearing from other haulers about an outbreak in CT and Mass. I have not personally confirmed this... It is on today's "to do "list after I get my place ready for the incoming 'weather'. Will keep you posted on what I find later this afternoon. Maybe DR.O has access to inside vet info that the general public doesn't get???
Member:
Jojo15

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 12:17 pm:

True on the CT horse...
https://www.fairfieldequine.com/quarantine_statement.html

True with the public service of the idea of vaccination. WOn't necessarily help your horse NOT get it. Just keep him healthy is your best defense.


some wellington sites are still under quarentine.

The odd thing is i believe the CT, horse is NOT the same strain.

Many stables in California are still under quarentine,

Another interesting turnof events here in Florida is that One of the vets is sueing the DOA for their erroneous information... placing the VET as the beginning of the VIRUS. Or some such nonsense.

By Stephanie Horvath
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted January 3 2007, 5:24 PM EST
Wellington -- Palm Beach Equine Clinic, one of Wellington's dominant
equine veterinary practices, has filed a lawsuit against the state
agriculture department alleging that it damaged the clinic's
business when it gave incorrect information to the media about the
equine herpes outbreak. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Palm Beach
County Circuit Court, also alleges that the Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services released non-public veterinary
information about horses without the permission of the clinic or its
clients.
LocalLinks

Palm Beach Equine Clinic claims the misinformation has cost it
clients and revenue, and it is seeking damages in excess of $15,000.
Business at the clinic in December was down 40 percent from
November, said Craig Galle, the clinic's attorney. "In December,
because of all the public releases, it freaked some people out. As a
result, the long-standing, good clients weren't sending their horses
to the clinic or inviting the doctors out to their barns," he
said. "They weren't doing that volume of horses they normally would.
I expect more of the same in January." Scott Swerdlin, a
veterinarian at the clinic, said its perception in the community has
been hurt. The clinic reopened its hospital on Tuesday, but he
said, "we didn't have a client come in and the surgeries didn't show
up." The lawsuit claims that the agriculture department, Thomas J.
Holt, the director for the department's Division of Animal Industry,
and Mark Fagan, a spokesman for the department, all made inaccurate
statements to the media and equestrians. It claims they falsely said
that the clinic was contaminated with the equine herpes virus, that
horses contracted the virus at the clinic, that the clinic is under
state-mandated quarantine and that a horse named Seabreeze, infected
with the disease, died at the clinic. The clinic did have an
infected horse in its hospital on Dec. 2, but did not realize it was
infected until Dec. 15, according to the lawsuit. It also claims
that all other horses at the clinic were tested on Dec. 15 and found
to be virus free. Only an isolation barn at the clinic is under
state-mandated quarantine, and Seabreeze was euthanized at the Palm
Beach Equine Sports Complex on Dec. 29. The lawsuit also contends
that the state released horse veterinary information without
permission. Galle said Florida common law protects the privacy of
veterinary records, especially for horses. Swerdlin said he was
against the state releasing the names and locations of dead and sick
horses. "I think veterinary records are personal, just like human
medical records," he said. Fagan, the department spokesman and a
defendant, said he hadn't seen the lawsuit. But he said the state
has not given out any incorrect information, adding that a newspaper
published incorrect information. "It was not the result of me
giving the wrong information," he said. "It was the result of a
reporter giving the wrong information." He also said the state
released horse names and other medical information because the
Sunshine Laws required it. "We are abiding by the law when we issue
information," he said.


other than that, i haven't kept up since its likely NOT really affecting me unless i walk onto one of the wellington sites. THE SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR is going on as usual, and there were alot of horses there, BUT, many did scratch, the first week i was there. Only 3 drill teams showed up, usually its like 15. So the misinformation is still out there.
New Member:
kriseyc

Posted on Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 - 7:02 pm:

Thanks Gwen, Cyndy and Jojo,

Really great information! Much appreciated! I think the more we all know the better in keeping our's and our neighbors horses healthy and safe.
I'll keep watching for new info.
Thanks again
Kristin
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jan 22, 2007 - 5:32 am:

Kristin, be sure to follow the links in the respiratory article above as we constantly maintain 3 different articles on EHV-1. This respiratory one, then one on the abortion form, and one on the neurological form. Each has information from a different slant. Also the articles are linked to the articles on vaccination to help with protection as best is possible. All of these are maintained with the latest scientific and veterinary medical information and concerning the neuro form there is some interesting preliminary data of the different vaccines.

We do receive email updates when significant diseases breaks out from both AVMA and AAEP but these are always behind the news media. Then again they are considerably more accurate in the reporting.
DrO
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