February 22, 2007

Equine Herpes Virus Stikes Again - Now in Maryland and Virginia
Submitted by Beth Collier

The Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) has been placed under a mandatory quarantine by the Virginia State Veterinarian due to possible cases of EHV-1. In light of this fact, the Morven Park Equestrian Center has imposed a 21 day voluntary quarantine. We are choosing to do this to ensure the health and safety of the entire equine community and future events at this facility.

The few horses that are in residence at the facility have not shown any symptoms. We plan to reopen on March 9, which is 21 days from the last date any horse came or left the Equestrian Center.

We are sorry to inconvenience previously scheduled events and the local equine community. Please check our website for further updates, or call 703-777-2890.

From the Maryland Department of Agriculture Website:
Equine Herpesvirus Update (2/21/07)
Click here for more information about EHV-1 prevention and links to additional resources, www.mda.state.md.us/animal_health/diseases/ehv.php

February 21 - 6pm - News Release from the Maryland Department of Agriculture
CONTACT: Sue duPont 410-841-5889

Maryland Investigates Possible Equine Herpesvirus-1 Cases

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Feb. 21, 2007 – The Maryland Department of Agriculture is conducting a neurologic equine herpes virus -1 (EHV-1) investigation in eight locations in Maryland (seven horses currently located in Maryland). The investigation is warranted because these horses had possible indirect exposure to an EHV-1 test-positive horse being treated initially for colic at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, VA and were discharged before the horse in Leesburg showed signs of EHV-1. The “index” horse that originally went to Leesburg was from St. Mary's County, Maryland (our 8th location) and remains at Leesburg under treatment. No horses currently in Maryland have tested positive for EHV-1.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has placed seven-day “Investigational Hold Orders” on all of the farms to prevent any movement of horses onto or off of the farms until the situation at each location is evaluated and any necessary test results are back. MDA veterinarians will evaluate each on a case-by-case basis. Samples were taken from horses today.

MDA is acting on the side of extreme caution and reminds Maryland horse owners that it is always prudent to practice on-farm biosecurity to prevent illness of any kind. Additional information about equine herpesvirus-1 and biosecurity measures as well as updates on the current situation in Maryland and Virginia are posted at www.mda.state.md.us.

February 21, 2007 - News Release from the Virginia Department of Agriculture
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804/786-7686

EQUINE HERPES VIRUS-1 REPORTED IN VIRGINIA; STATE VETERINARIAN QUARANTINING FARMS - Full news release: http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/releases-b.shtml
February 20, 2007, 6pm - News Release from the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center
CONTACT: Marjorie Musick (703) 771-688, mzmusick@vt.edu
State-Imposed Quarantine Implemented at Equine Medical Center Due to Suspected Cases of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1). Full News release and all future updates from the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center: http://emc.vetmed.vt.edu/newatEMC.html

February 20, 2007, 5pm
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is conducting a neurologic equine herpes virus -1 (EHV-1) investigation in six locations in Maryland (five horses currently located in Maryland). The investigation is warranted because these horses had possible indirect exposure to an EHV-1 test-positive horse being treated initially for colic at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, VA and were discharged before the horse in Leesburg showed signs of EHV-1. The “index” horse that originally went to Leesburg was from St. Mary's County, Maryland (our 6th location) and remains at Leesburg under treatment.

MDA veterinarians are going to the six Maryland locations this afternoon to put 7-day “investigational hold orders” on the farms to prevent any movement of horses onto or off of the farms until test results are back. If they can get samples tonight, they will; if not, they will go back and take samples tomorrow. MDA veterinarians will evaluate each on a case-by-case basis. MDA is acting on the side of extreme caution.