Equine Herpes Virus - Outbreak

Do you know what Equine Herpes Virus is? How could it affect your mares? Read on to find out more.

From Dr. Michael Yoder, NCSU Animal Science, REINS Coordinator:

Attached, please find a news release documenting the EHV-1 Wild Type, outbreak in Florida. The Wild Type EHV-1 may cause abortion in mares, but may also result in neurological issues that are very serious. To date, North Carolina has not been exposed to the disease in 2013. If you wish to follow the information coming from the Florida State Veterinarian, you may find that information on the following website.

http://www.freshfromflorida.com/ai/

EHV-1 Outbreak and Quarantine Information 

March 3, 2013 

Revised information is italicized 

A horse participating in the Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) horse show in Ocala was referred to the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine after showing clinical neurological signs on February 20th. The horse subsequently tested positive for the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), wild-type strain. Currently, the horse is in stable condition and continues to be treated at the University of Florida. 

Five additional horses that are linked to the HITS Show in Ocala have tested positive for EHV-1 wild type. One is located at Redfield Farm in Ocala and four are located at Miles Away Farm in Loxahatchee, Florida. One of the positive horses located at Miles Away 

Farm, has developed neurological signs and is being treated at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine. While the additional positive horses were detected after leaving the Showgrounds, they resided in Tent 3 and Tent 6 in proximity to Tent 7 which housed the index case. With evidence of more widespread exposure, the HITS Showgrounds have been placed under quarantine. 

An additional horse, with no clinical signs of disease that is linked to the HITS showground’s, has tested positive for EHV-1 and is located at Calder Farms, in Ocala. That horse continues to remain clinically healthy with no signs of EHV-1 infection. 

A horse not believed to be linked with any of the HITS-associated quarantined premises has also been positive for EHV-1. This horse is located at Tequestrian Farm in Wellington, Florida. 

The Division of Animal Industry is continuing their disease investigation and developing protocols for surveillance and quarantine release measures. An Incident Command Team comprised of state and federal personnel has been mobilized to implement appropriate control measures. 

Quarantined Farms/Premises** 

 HITS Showgrounds, Ocala – Entire facility 

 Up Country Farm/Synergy Farm, Ocala 

 Montera Farm, Ocala 

 Flutterby Farm, Ocala 

 Foxwood Farms, Pinellas Park 

 Black Forest Farm, St. Augustine 

 POD-F Farm (Littlewood Farm), Wellington 

 Brookmore Farm, Oviedo 

 Kings Ridge Farm, Reddick 

 Tequestrian Farm, Wellington 

 Redfield Farm, Ocala 

 Miles Away Farm, Loxahatchee 

 Calder Farms 

**The quarantines listed above do not necessarily encompass the entire premises. 

Premises Released from Quarantine 

 FEI tent at Wellington Showground’s – February 28, 2013 

Known State Movement Restriction for Horses 

 California requirements include a negative test for Equine Infectious Anemia, obtained within the six (6) months before date of entry, and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) with a body temperature recorded for each horse in the shipment. Accredited veterinarians preparing CVIs are responsible for fulfillment of the temperature recording requirement. 

We are advising horse owners and trainers to contact the venue of destination for any additional requirements prior to travel. 

Recommendations for horses that have shown at HITS since February 5, 2013 include close monitoring of animals, reporting of fevers greater than 101.5 and strict bio-security measures for at least 21 days after departure from HITS. 

We are asking all those in the equine community to practice prudent bio-security on their farm and to report any suspected cases of EHV-1. For reporting, you may call 850-410-0900 Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm and 1-800-342-5869 after hours and 

weekends. 

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with continue to work with HITS management, trainers, and veterinarians to ensure proper safeguards are taken to prevent further spread of the disease. 

Frequent informational updates will be provided, so please continue to visit this Website regularly at: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/ai/. 

Additional Resources: 

More information on the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) can be found at the following 

Websites: 

 American Association of Equine Practitioners, 

http://www.aaep.org/health_articles.php?category=Equine+Herpesvirus+%28EHV%29 

 Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, 

http://www.ca.uky.edu/gluck/BiblioEHV1.asp 

 University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, 

http://extension.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/2012/02/EHV-June-2011.pdf 

Bio-security information, to help reduce the risk of spread contagious and infectious 

diseases can be found at the following Websites, 

 American Association of Equine Practitioners, 

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Biosecurity_instructions%201.pdf 

 United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection 

Service (USDA, APHIS), 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/HorseBioSecurity_final.pdf