This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Nervous System » Incoordination, Weakness, Spasticity, Tremors » EHV-1 (Equine Herpes) Myeloencephalopathy »
  Discussion on EHV-1 Encephalopathy Identified in Rockingham NC
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jan 7, 2012 - 8:01 am:

I received this press release yesterday. Since I live adjacent to this county you would think I would have a little more info but locally the news agencies don't consider this a big deal and still no information on which stable. Other than a few phone calls yesterday morning things are calm.
DrO

CONTACT: Dr. Tom Ray, director of Livestock Health Programs
NCDA&CS Veterinary Division
919-733-7601

Virus Affecting Horses Found at N.C. Stable (in Rockingham County)

Virus is contagious between horses, but does not affect humans

RALEIGH – The neurologic form of equine herpesvirus, EHV-1, has been confirmed in a North Carolina horse. The horse, from a Rockingham County stable, was taken to the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C. State University upon becoming ill, and directly quarantined to the equine isolation unit of the hospital.

“We have been fortunate that we’ve not seen this particular form of this common virus in North Carolina to date, even though it has been increasing in frequency throughout the country for almost a decade now,” said State Veterinarian David Marshall. “We are working with the College of Veterinary Medicine and with the stable to implement biosecurity measures and minimize the risk of further spread.”

EHV-1 is highly contagious among horses, but poses no threat to humans. It most often causes respiratory infections in young horses, but different strains can also pose neurologic problems, which the affected N.C. horse exhibited. The virus also can cause abortion in pregnant horses or neonatal death. Vaccines are available that protect horses from most forms of EHV-1, but not from the strains that cause neurologic problems.

Biosecurity measures to protect horses include quarantining facilities that are suspected to house EHV-1-exposed horses. Water and feed buckets should be disinfected and not shared. Stalls and trailers should also be cleaned and disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of disease. New additions or those returning from shows and exhibitions should be isolated for 3 weeks prior to comingling with other horses upon returning home. Horse owners should also talk with their veterinarian to determine a vaccine schedule.

More information about EPV-1 and how to prevent the virus can be found at www.ncagr.gov/vet/Disease Alerts.htm. Questions regarding College of Veterinary Medicine protocols may be referred to David Green at 919-513-6662.

There are no horse events scheduled this weekend at facilities owned by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Raleigh, Williamston and Fletcher.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Saturday, Jan 7, 2012 - 10:48 am:

Thanks DrO, I was reading on thehorse.com and there was a banner saying a case was found in WI. I couldn't click on the link for some reason, and I can't open the link above either.

Do you have a link to a map showing where other outbreaks are?

Thank you.

Hope your horses stay healthy.
Member:
juliem

Posted on Saturday, Jan 7, 2012 - 10:52 am:

Dr. O, I'm in Idaho and as you know last years outbreak seemed to start at the cutting horse show in Utah. Many of the horses there came home to Idaho. The first to die was at the same facility where my young mare is in training. Every barn in the area went on voluntary "lock down". No horses, farriers, etc. in or out. Most people didn't even leave home to trail ride. Barns with primary (like mine) or secondary exposure took temps twice a day. My vet did all his work from his truck--no clinic calls. After a month of no new cases, the restrictions were lifted, but I believe these measures stopped this from being catastrophic and just gave us a month at home with strict bio security measures. Sadly, the cutting community lost seven horses in Idaho, but it could have been so much worse. I would take this very seriously if it were in my area again.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Saturday, Jan 7, 2012 - 11:11 am:

Julie, I am sorry you lost your horse.

I still can't find anything about a WI outbreak; there was as listing of states but not WI. I am near the WI border so it does worry me.
Member:
juliem

Posted on Saturday, Jan 7, 2012 - 2:58 pm:

Oh Angie, I didn't lose my mare, but she had direct exposure to the horse that died. We took her temp twice a day for two weeks, and no horses at the facility (about 60) could leave their stalls. Even the barn dogs had to be tied so they wouldn't track the virus. That facility was the first with a confirmed case, so as soon as the test results came back positive, bio-security measures were put in place. My filly had her first ride the day the other horse died and then spent the next thirty days in lockdown! My vet called me as soon as he heard about the positive case as he knew I had a horse there. He gave me strict instructions NOT to bring her home and a scrip for acyclovir in case she spiked a temp.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Saturday, Jan 7, 2012 - 4:11 pm:

Oops, sorry, my bad. I mis-read that obviously. Glad you didn't lose her but sorry you had to go through all the lockdown and security measures.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 - 6:21 pm:

No Angie I don't have such a link but EHV-1 is fairly pervasive through out the US. It is when we get one of these myeloencephalitis strains that everyone gets very upset. There is still a lot of uncertainty what is going on here but note that the rarity of these outbreaks keeps them newsworthy. If you were having problems locally you will hear about it quickly.
DrO
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 12, 2012 - 7:57 am:

Wednesday, 1/11/2012 Summary:



· There are 45 horses and 1 donkey under quarantine on 7 locations in 4 counties in NC; 37 of the animals are at a single premises, the other 9 on the remaining six quarantined location.

· Additionally, there are 7 horses traced out to Tennessee at two locations and 2 horses to Virginia at one location.

· Six of the seven quarantined locations in NC are expected to have their quarantine lifted by Tuesday, January 17, 2012 (assuming no fever spikes and/or observations of clinical signs).



As you can see, this situation is pretty much confined, all exposed animals have been located, quarantined, and being closely observed for any fever spikes and/or clinical signs. NCDA&CS, Vet Division field staff have been in close and regular communication with owners at these sites and will continue to do so until all the quarantines are lifted. Because the sites were identified, the exposed animals located and quarantined so quickly after suspicion of EHV-1, there has not been a recommendation to cancel equestrian events in the state. Also, no other states have notified our State Veterinarian’s Office of any movement restrictions on horses moving from North Carolina into their states.
Thank you.

Director, Animal Health Programs-Livestock

NCDA&CS, Veterinary Division

2 W Edenton Street

1030 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-1030

919-733-7601 Office

919-733-2277 FAX
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC