Posted Dec 14, 2006 - 8:45 PM EST

Horse Health Alert - Vaccinate for EHV
The Equine Herpes Virus Appears to Have Traveled to Wellington, Florida and California

Michael A. Short, DVM, Veterinarian Manager – Equine Programs for the Florida Department of Agriculture Provides the Latest Information

Michael A. Short, DVM, Veterinarian Manager – Equine Programs for the Florida Department of Agriculture, contacted HorsesDaily returning our call, this evening after a full day of fielding a barrage of phone calls from anxious horse and farm owners throughout the state and country. While the lab results on the affected horses are still out, it appears quite likely that the 2 horses who died, and the two others who were sick and now recovering were exposed to the EHV1 Virus, Equine Herpes Virus. The infected “index” horse was shipped from Europe and was in quarantine in the USDA Newberg New York facility on or about November 27th. 15 horses at the facility were exposed.

After the index horse shipped by truck and was delivered in Florida, the well known jumper Debbie Stephens Cosequin's CEO became ill and died. The index horse is currently responding to treatment and improving. It is currently unconfirmed but also likely that another horse who shipped by ground from the same facility to California has also died from what appears to be the EHV1 virus. The USDA and Florida Department of Agriculture will be working together to track the exposures, and Dr. Short feels encouraged by the fact they have pinned down the source.

Dr. Short admitted they were still in the early stages of tracking the actual exposure to the virus. “I feel optimistic we got this early, and have traced the virus to one shipment” Dr. Short told HorsesDaily, “but until we know for sure it could be at least three to four weeks before things get back to normal.”

The Equine Herpes Virus can have an incubation period of up to 21 days, and Dr. Short recommends horse owners, grooms and riders practice the utmost in good bio security. All owners are advised to check with their veterinarian on inoculation procedures. If your horse is a show horse and has not been inoculated in the past two months, it could be prudent to do so. The virus is not passed from horses to humans. The virus causes flu-like symptoms, such as respiratory infections and high fevers. In some cases, neurological disorders happen, causing the horse to be put down. Pregnant horses may abort.

“Check your horse’s temperatures at least twice a day.” emphasized Dr. Short. Even if it is 1 to 1.5% higher than normal, it is important to take action.”

It is critical for grooms, riders, anyone entering or leaving the barn areas wash their hands several times a day, swipe their feet, and do no share tack, water and feed buckets. Even fans can spread the air-born virus. While optimistic that the 2007 season can be saved by fast action and cooperation with the affected community, Dr. Short explained it is important that the community band together, and be honest and forthcoming on conditions in their barns.

For horses already in Wellington, it’s business as usual but they are staying close to home. The torrential rains have caused more of an inconvenience than the apparent contained exposure to the virus. Some property owners are self-imposing quarantines on their barns. “It is best if nobody travels with their horses now and shows have been canceled.” Robert Dover told HorsesDaily. “Otherwise, we are all working as normal, except for the fact that we may have to build an arc! We have had non-stop rain with over a foot of standing water in some places.”

“Two quarantines have been placed while state and federal officials are investigating the cause of the disease and working with affected industry to prevent further spread of the disease.” reports the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Industry website. As of this posting at 8:30 PM EST Dec 14, “No other state or federal restrictions have been placed on horse movements into, within, or out of Florida.”

On Saturday, December 16, Dr. Michael A. Short, DVM, Veterinarian Manager – Equine Programs for the Florida Department of Agriculture, will be joining USDA Government Veterinarian, Dr. Julie Gauthier, who will meet with equestrians, community members, and members of the media to discuss the Equine Rhinopneumonitis Virus. Dr. Short plans on an extended stay in the area, and setting up a command post for monitoring the situation, and working with the community to get the situation under control, and back to business as soon as is possible and safe to do so.

The meeting with Dr. Gauthier will be held at 10:00am in the Jockey Club at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club on 14440 Pierson Road in Wellington, FL. The Jockey Club, also referred to as the VIP tent, is located adjacent to the large, grass Internationale Arena.

This discussion forum is open to all members of the community.

For more information on this discussion, please contact Elizabeth Hedley of Stadium Jumping Inc. at 561-793-JUMP (5867).

Stay tuned to HorsesDaily.com and DressageDaily.com as we will continue to monitor and update information.

Important Links
Florida Department of Agriculture
MyHorseMatters.com

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