Horses
at a boarding facility in central North Carolina have been confirmed to have
the neurologic form of EHV-1. This facility has had little movement of horses
on or off the farm. Our veterinarians are working closely with the practicing
veterinarian and the farm owner. The premises has been quarantined and strict
biosecurity measures have been in place since Dec. 23. All animals are having
temperatures monitored twice a day, and no horses have had fevers or other
clinical signs since Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, the first day there were confirmed
lab results from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory. The quarantine
will be held for 28 days after the last fever is recorded.
Additional
investigation found that five horses were moved from the stable in the last
four weeks and have been tracked to four locations in North Carolina where
their health status is being monitored. All known exposed horses have been
accounted for, are not showing clinical signs and have not been moved. No
additional horses have been moved from any of the known sites.
At
this point, we believe this is an isolated incident with low-risk to other
horses. However, we do encourage horse owners to practice good biosecurity
measures as a precaution. EHV-1 is not a reportable disease to the Office of
the State Veterinarian under state law, however the office appreciates being
made aware of suspicious cases and will offer help in controlling the disease.
The last known case in North Carolina was in January 2012.
What is EHV-1?
EHV-1 (equine
herpesvirus-1) is one of a large group of DNA viruses causing potentially
serious disease in horses and other species. EHV-1 has two forms: one that
causes abortion in mares and one that causes respiratory infection and
neurological symptoms. The above cited outbreaks have involved the EHV-1
respiratory/neurological form of the virus causing a condition known as Equine
Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).EHV-1 is contagious and is spread by direct
horse-to-horse contact, by contaminated hands, equipment and tack, and, for a
short time, through aerosolization of the virus within the environment of the
stall and stable.
What are the
Clinical Signs of EHV-1?
The initial
clinical signs of the infection may be nonspecific and include fever of 102°F
or greater. Fever may be the only abnormality observed. Other presenting signs
may be combinations of fever and respiratory symptoms of nasal discharge and
cough. Some horses have reddish mucous membranes. Horses with neurological
disease caused by EHV-1 infection can soon become uncoordinated and weak and
have trouble standing. Difficulty urinating and defecating may also occur.
Often the rear limbs are more severely affected than the front. Signs of brain
dysfunction may occur as well, including extreme lethargy and a coma-like
state. The incubation period of EHV-1 infection is HIGHLY VARIABLE, depending
on the host, on the virulence of the virus, and on environmental and other
factors such as stress. The AVERAGE incubation period is 4 to 7 days, with the
majority of cases being 3 to 8 days, but with some taking up to 14 days. When
neurological disease occurs, it is typically 8 to 12 days after the primary
infection involving fever. In most cases, horses exposed to EHV-1 will develop
a fever and possibly nasal discharge and then go on to recover.
University of
California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine
Submitted
by Jared Harrell