The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
Spring weather conditions affecting horse health
Information about disease outbreaks improves horse welfare and helps prevent negative economic impact resulting from decreased horse use.
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The goal of the EDCC is to alert the horse industry about disease outbreak information to help mitigate and prevent the spread of disease. Ultimately frequent and accurate information about diseases outbreaks improves horse welfare and helps to prevent negative economic impact that can result from decreased horse use due to a fear of spreading infection. As part of the National Equine Health Plan the EDCC will serve as part of the communication to help educate and promote research about endemic and foreign disease.
Working in cooperation with state animal health officials and the United State Department of Agriculture, the EDCC seeks information about current disease outbreaks from news media, social media, official state reports and veterinary practitioners. Once information is confirmed, it is immediately posted on this website and messages sent to all states and horse organizations by email. Daily updates are posted until each outbreak is contained or deemed no longer a threat.
Changes in spring weather and pasture conditions plus the beginning of many competitions that mean horses are traveling more frequently often lead to an increase in contagious disease cases. Following are the newly confirmed cases of equine diseases for early April 2018:
On April 6, 2018, the Washington State Department of Agriculture confirmed a case of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (neurotropic) in King County, Washington. The horse was moved to an isolation area on the property and the premise has been quarantined. There are two other premises that will be quarantined due to recent movement of horses from the index property to other equine facilities. Temperatures will be taken twice daily and strict equine biosecurity is in place. If an owner has a horse exhibiting neurological signs or suspects of Equine Herpes Virus, they are directed to call their veterinarian immediately. For more information go to: https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/DiseaseFactsheetEHM.pdf.
On April 10th, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials confirmed Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in one Liberty County horse The positive horse has been euthanized and the premises will remain under quarantine until requirements for release have been met.
On April 12, the South Dakota Animal Industry Board confirmed Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy in a horse in Lincoln County. The horse became ill with neurologic signs including incoordination and difficulty walking. The horse was treated at a local veterinary clinic. The horse has traveled extensively in South Dakota for cutting and sorting events in the past few weeks. The owner has agreed to a voluntary quarantine and monitoring the other horses on the premises.