UPDATE ON EQUINE HERPES VIRUS-1 IN VIRGINIA, ADDITIONAL FACILITIES QUARANTINED AS A PRECAUTION
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is taking precautionary measures and quarantining additional farms in Virginia due to an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1). Previously, VDACS quarantined the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg and one farm in Loudoun County.
In the hours following discovery of a horse possibly infected with EHV-1 at the EMC, both Virginia and Maryland learned of additional horses that may have had contact with that animal. Both states are conducting investigations and doing trace-backs on at-risk horses. Virginia is placing more quarantines today. By Friday evening, February 23, 2007, the following localities will have quarantines in place:
Culpeper County 1 Premises 6 Horses
Fauquier County 2 Premises 67 Horses
Loudoun County 6 Premises 72 Horses
Quantico Marine Base 1 Premises 30 Horses (estimate)This represents a total of approximately 175 horses under quarantine, only three of which have shown neurological signs of EHV-1. One of those horses resides in Fauquier County and two in Loudoun County.
EHV1 in a highly contagious disease that presents no known health threat to humans, but humans can spread it from farm to farm on their clothing, shoes, tires, or equipment. To enhance bio-security, VDACS has cancelled the Casanova Hunt Club Point-to-Point and the Casanova Hunter Pace events this weekend because of their proximity to a quarantined premises.
Dr. Richard Wilkes, Virginia State Veterinarian, said, “We are being very conservative in our approach and are quarantining farms that have horses on the premises that were at the equine center during the possible contagious period. The quarantines are precautionary measures and do not mean there are sick horses on the premises. No horse on a Virginia premises outside the equine center has been confirmed to have EHV1, but we have tested some horses on contact farms that have fevers and no other signs and one horse that has neurological signs. We expect to receive test results early next week. This aggressive approach is to try and contain any possible exposure while we assess the risk that this event holds for our horse industry. Virginia horse-owners need to understand that we are being proactive and pre-emptive at this time to protect our state’s horse industry. We have cancelled a couple of equine events to add another measure of protection.”
Wilkes added, “We are working with faculty at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at their Blacksburg and Marion duPont Scott facilities, the Virginia Association of Equine Practitioners, USDA, and the Maryland Department of Agriculture to be sure that we take responsible, effective action to control EHV-1.”
Wilkes encourages activity planners to consider upcoming events in Northern Virginia carefully and to postpone all non-essential ones to minimize the occasions where horses co-mingle. The mixing and mingling of horses has the potential to compromise bio-security as they move from area to area. The VDACS Web site has bio-security information at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals/pdf/ehv-infosheet.pdf and the University of Florida site has bio-security guidelines at http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu/Agriculture/PDF/Equine%20 Herpesvirus%20UF%20Web%20Biosecurity.pdf.
Quarantines will restrict movement on and off the affected facilities. In addition, veterinarians are urging horse owners to observe strict hygiene control procedures to avoid spreading the disease in the environment. This includes a thorough cleaning and disinfecting routine using a proven disinfectant/cleaner.
For more information, see the VDACS Web site and click on “Read More” in the “What’s New: Equine Herpes Virus 1” box. This site contains press releases, a fact sheet, and information on bio-security.
2007 02 23
{ 3 } Comments
UConn got hit too. Their herd is quarantined and they changed their Spring Equine Symposia from a three day event to a one day confrence on equine health and management. They’re hoping for a March release of the quarantine.
While I realize you’re out of the area, I’ll throw this in for any of your other readers who might be up this way. The one day conference looks pretty good for $5.
http://www.canr.uconn.edu/ansci/equine/cemh.pdf
http://www.canr.uconn.edu/ansci/equine/schedule07tent.pdf
I feel for anyone whose horses have this. In addition to their horse being sick, there’s a good chance that at least someone at the barn is blaming them for the quarantine.
When my horse came down with strangles, I got to deal with that. Based on the circumstances, it’s most likely that one of the horses who went to a hunter pace brought it back, but my boy was the first symptomatic. There were more than a few fingers pointed at the symptomatic horses after the quarantine went in place.
Some people were really unhappy that they couldn’t go to shows. When one horse ended up with purpura haemorrhagica, it finally dawned on them that maybe, just maybe, not being able to trailer out wasn’t quite as bad as others were having it.
If something like this happens in your barn, it’s really worth taking a few minutes to give some sympathy to anyone whose horse is symptomatic. Someone else may be blaming them for something they had no fault in at a time when they’ve got enough worries already.
Other people don’t realize that buying used blankets and other equipment may seem like a good option to save money. But in reality that is another reason this could be spreading as well. Some one might not tell you all the information on why they are truly getting rid of that blanket or tack. Its much better to buy new than to lose more money on vet bills and not have your beloved horse anymore.
Chris…keep your hands off the horses…