The Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced emergency approval of information collection for a National Animal Health Monitoring System Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Study to support the equine industry in the United States and has announced that comments regarding the proposal may be made now through June 14, 2013.
EHM - Contagious horse disease
APHIS is conducting the Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Study as part of an ongoing series of NAHMS studies on the U.S. livestock population and the spread of disease.
Under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is authorized, among other things, to protect the health of U.S. livestock and poultry populations by preventing the introduction and interstate spread of serious diseases and pests of livestock and for eradicating such diseases from the United States when feasible.
In connection with this mission, APHIS operates the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), which collects nationally representative, statistically valid, and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and economic importance of livestock diseases and associated risk factors.
NAHMS' epidemiologic investigations are a collaborative industry and government initiative to help determine the most effective means of preventing and controlling livestock disease outbreaks. APHIS is the only agency responsible for collecting data on livestock health. Participation in any NAHMS study is voluntary, and all data are confidential.
APHIS is conducting an Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) Study as part of an ongoing series of NAHMS studies on the U.S. livestock population.
Purpose of the Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy study:
- To collect information using questionnaires, during equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) outbreaks,
- To identify risk factors for EHM. EHM is the neurologic form of EHV-1 in horses.
Infection with EHV-1 can result in respiratory disease, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and neurologic disease.
The virus can spread in many ways, such as through direct horse-to-horse contact, through the air in equine environments, and by contact with contaminated equipment, clothing, and hands. EHM is endemic to the United States, and outbreaks are usually handled by affected States. However, APHIS becomes involved in cases that involve multiple States or the interstate movement of horses.
Due to recent outbreaks of EHV-1 in the United States, APHIS has initiated the study earlier than expected. State animal health officials are currently administering questionnaires, in person or by telephone, to horse owners and trainers of horses infected with EHV-1 that include cases of EHM and horses that are not affected to serve as case controls.
The information collected is being used to understand the risk factors for EHM, make recommendations for disease control, and to allow us to provide guidance on the best ways to avoid future outbreaks based on a thorough analysis and interpretation of the data.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved our use of these information collection activities on an emergency basis. We plan to request continuation of that approval for 3 years.
Information on the Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy Study:
Contact Mr. Chris Quatrano, Industry Analyst, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, VS, APHIS, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B MS 2E6, Fort Collins, CO 80526, (970) 494-7207. For copies of more detailed information on the information collection, contact Mrs. Celeste Sickles, APHIS, Information Collection Coordinator, at (301) 851-2908.
Learn more about Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy