Horses shows have been called off in Illinois to stop the spread of infection after Illinois agriculture officials said two horses from a northeastern Illinois stable tested positive earlier this month for the equine herpes virus.
Horse shows cancelled in Illinois
Horse shows in Illinois have been cancelled after three horses exhibited neurologic signs of equine herpes virus and two of those horses have been euthanized.
© 2015 by Dale Stork
Three horses have exhibited neurologic signs of disease and two of those horses have been euthanized. All horses on the premises have been restricted to the stable and are being monitored daily for signs of disease.
Stable personnel have been instructed to eliminate direct contact between horses as much as possible and to segregate sick horses from healthy horses as well as limit personnel entering the barn. The stable manager has implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures to help decrease the possibility of exposure. A source of the initial exposure has not been identified.
It was also reported to the Bureau that several horses from this stable attended equine events on or about April 25th and on May 2nd. These venues have been contacted and are implementing steps to reduce the chances of additional exposures.
The facility that hosted the event has closed for three weeks to disinfect and has canceled shows. Forest preserve officials in DuPage County also canceled horse-related activities at St. John Farm in Warrenville.
"Although we are not aware of any cases in DuPage County, we're proceeding proactively to prevent the further spread of this deadly equine disease," forest preserve President Joe Cantore said.
Horse owners need to be mindful that most horses are exposed to one or more strains of EHV at a very young age. Periods of high stress or additional exposure may cause an animal to exhibit clinical signs of disease.
Occasionally, the disease is exhibited as a serious neurologic disease. Owners should consult with their veterinarian when deciding whether or not to attend an equine event as anytime horses are commingled there is the opportunity for exposure.
The neurologic signs include ataxia, urinary bladder atony and reduced tail tone. In severe cases, horses will be unable to stand; these cases have a very poor prognosis. Foals are rarely affected with the neurologic form of EHV-1, and no sex predilection is seen. Treatment is supportive and tailored to the specific case.
Once a horse is infected, it should be quarantined. USDA recommends monitoring of all exposed horses for at least 7 days. During the isolation period, it is recommended to discontinue or reduce any strenuous training or exercise for exposed horses.
All exposed horses should have rectal temperatures taken twice daily (8-12 hours apart) and recorded in a log for at least 7 days after the date of potential exposure. Horses whose rectal temperature registers higher than 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit are considered to be febrile.
All horses on the premises should also be monitored for neurologic signs (ataxia, posterior incoordination, weakness, recumbency with inability to rise, circling, head pressing, head tilt, bladder atony) during the home quarantine period.
Central nervous system signs, such as posterior incoordination, weakness, recumbency with inability to rise, and bladder atony are most common in EHM affected horses.