Equine Herpesvirus Outbreak in California

Newsdate: Mon, 19 Mar 2012 - 08:00 am
Location: MONTEREY, California

Below are official notices of EHV-1 outbreaks in California from the California Department of Food and Agriculture:

EHV-1 Update

March 16, 2012: No New Cases at the Monterey or San Diego County Premises.  CDFA continues to monitor the situation. The two confirmed positive non-neuropathogenic Equine Herpes Virus- 1 horses  with neurologic signs were potentially exposed during the last week ( March 5-11, 2012) of the HITS Horse Show  in Thermal, CA.   This strain of virus is responsible for the more common EHV-1 respiratory infection.  CDFA recommends that horses stabled in Tents 22 and 34 during the last week of the Thermal show be closely observed and have their temperature monitored twice daily.
San Diego County

EHV-1 in San Diego County

March 15, 2012: A gelding in San Diego County displaying hind limb ataxia has been confirmed positive for the non-neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpesvirus -1 (EHV-1). This strain of virus is responsible for the more common respiratory EHV-1 cases. A small percentage of non-neuropathogenic EHV-1 infected horses can display neurologic signs and are classified as equine herpes myeloencephalopathy cases which are a reportable condition in California. The positive horse has been quarantined and is under veterinary care. Initial investigation by CDFA indicates that this horse and the positive Monterey County horse participated in the same large equine event. CDFA is working with event management to contact exposed horse owners and recommend isolation, twice daily temperature monitoring and implementation of proper biosecurity.

EHV-1 in Monterey County

March 15, 2012: No New Cases.

March 14, 2012: A gelding displaying hind limb ataxia has been confirmed positive for the non-neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpesvirus -1 (EHV-1). This strain of virus is responsible for the more common respiratory EHV-1 cases.  A small percentage of non-neuropathogenic EHV-1 infected horses can display neurologic signs and are classified as equine herpes myeloencephalopathy cases which is a reportable condition in California. The positive horse has been quarantined and is under veterinary care. CDFA has initiated an investigation and owners of exposed horses are asked to take temperatures twice daily and monitor for clinical signs. CDFA will continue to monitor the situation.

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About the Author

Mark Sellers

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Mark is the founder of EquiMed.  Prior to EquiMed, Mark was the CEO and founder of Pacific Crest Corporation, a maker of wireless communication devices and now a subsidiary of Trimble Navigation.

Mark trains and shows reining horses, and is a member of the West Coast Reining Horse Association, the NRHA affiliate in Northern California.  Mark also breeds and exhibits Mediterranean Donkeys.

Mark has a strong interest in equine health.  This website is the result of Mark's and numerous other contributor's efforts to make equine health information accessible to the horse owner.

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