July 25, 2021 Important EHV-1 Update

July 25, 2021

Equine Herpesvirus- Neurologic

Sonoma County, CA

Alert ID: 2139

Status: Confirmed Case(s) - Official Quarantine

Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture

Number Confirmed: 5;

Number Suspected: 4;

Number Exposed: 19

Facility Type: Showgrounds;

Horse #1: Age: 6; Gender: Mare; Breed: Warmblood (WB); Onset of Clinical Signs: 7/23/2021;

Clinical Signs: Hind-end Weakness, Limb edema, Nystagmus, Recumbency; Confirmation Date: 7/24/2021; Horse Status: Euthanized; Vaccination Status: Vaccinated;

Horse #2: Age: 15; Gender: Gelding; Breed: Warmblood (WB); Onset of Clinical Signs: 7/22/2021;

Clinical Signs: Ataxia, Cranial Nerve Deficit, Fever, Neurologic Signs, Urine Dribbling; Confirmation Date: 7/23/2021; Horse Status: Affected And Alive; Vaccination Status: Status Unknow

Notes: A 6-year-old Warmblood mare displaying neurological signs has been confirmed positive for EHM secondary to EHV-1. She attended a show in Sonoma County from 7/19-7/24 but did not compete, and event management has notified all participants to monitor temperatures twice daily and report any fevers or neurologic signs to their veterinarians and CDFA, as well as isolate all horses returning from shows at their home premises for at least 7 days. CDFA was onsite, and 19 exposed horses from the index mare’s barn were removed from the show facility and have been isolated and quarantined at the home premises in Sacramento County with the remaining 18 horses at the home premises with twice daily temperature monitoring and enhanced biosecurity measures. Six (6) horses from the home premises displaying fever and/or limb edema have also tested positive for EHV-1. A 15-year-old Warmblood gelding at the home premises that was febrile and tested positive for EHV-1 began displaying neurological signs, ataxia, urine dribbling, and cranial nerve deficits and was moved to isolation under quarantine at a veterinary hospital for care. CDFA continues to actively monitor the situation.

https://equinediseasecc.org/search/alert/2139

For more information

EHM Quarantine Lifted in California

The Sonoma County boarding facility has had no further cases in 14 days.

Posted by Horse.com Edited Press Release | Mar 30, 2021 | Diseases and ConditionsEquine Herpesvirus (EHV)

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has lifted an equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) quarantine at a Sonoma County boarding facility following 14 days with no further cases on the premises.

CDFA put in place the movement restriction on March 15 after a 21-year-old Warmblood mare was confirmed positive with the neurological form of EHV-1, or equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), and 21 horses were exposed.

EHV 101

Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis (EHM, the neurologic form).

VIDEO | Health Alert: Equine Herpesvirus

In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected. In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, depression, and a nasal discharge. Pregnant mares typically show no signs of infection before they abort, and abortions usually occur late in gestation (around eight months) but can be earlier. Abortions can occur anywhere from two weeks to several months following infection with EHV-1.

Horses with EHM usually have a fever at the onset of the disease and might show signs of a respiratory infection. A few days later, neurologic signs such as ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the fore- and hind limbs, urine retention and dribbling, loss of tail tone, and recumbency (inability to rise) develop.

Herpesvirus is easily spread by nose-to-nose or close contact with an infectious horse; sharing contaminated equipment including bits, buckets, and towels; or clothing, hands, or equipment of people who have recently had contact with an infectious horse. Routine biosecurity measures, including hygiene and basic cleaning and disinfection practices, should be in place at all times to help prevent disease spread.

Current EHV-1 vaccines might reduce viral shedding but are not protective against the neurologic form of the disease. Implementing routine biosecurity practices is the best way to minimize viral spread, and the best method of disease control is disease prevention.

View source: https://thehorse.com/198462/ehm-quarantine-lifted-in-california/

NEW: EHV-1 Quarantine in Santa Clara County

NEW: EHV-1 Quarantine in Santa Clara County

March 24, 2021: A 21-year-old Quarter Horse mare from Santa Clara County displaying neurological signs was confirmed positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1 on March 23rd. The horse is alive and is being treated in isolation at a veterinary hospital. The home premises has been quarantined with enhanced biosecurity measures in place and twice daily temperature monitoring. The clinical horse has no recent travel history and no links to any other EHV-1 cases. The home premises hosted an event on March 21st, and one asymptomatic horse from the home premise competed in an event from March 19th – 21st.  Event managers have been notified, and are encouraging all owners of potentially exposed horses to perform twice daily temperature monitoring, limit movement, and practice enhanced biosecurity measures for the next 14 days. CDFA will be onsite and continue to actively monitor exposed horses.

Equine Herpesvirus- Neurologic (EHM) confirmed in Sonoma County

Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) Updates:

 

NEW: EHV-1 Quarantine in Sonoma County


March 22, 2021:
No additional cases to report. CDFA continues to monitor the situation closely.

March 16, 2021: A 21-year-old Warmblood mare from Sonoma County displaying neurological signs was confirmed positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1 (neuropathogenic strain) on March 15th; the horse is alive and is being treated in isolation at a veterinary hospital. Horses on the home premises have been quarantined with enhanced biosecurity measures and twice daily temperature monitoring. There is no known risk of exposure out of this facility to any local events. The clinical horse has no recent travel history and no links to any other EHV-1 cases. CDFA will continue to actively monitor exposed horses. https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html

View Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Fact Sheet