Because of the global health scare and rising death toll surrounding the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak in humans, veterinarians are frequently receiving questions about corona virus in horses. The Equine Disease Communication Center has made information about coronavirus in horses public fore some time.
Image of the coronavirus infecting horses
Coronavirus is spread when feces from an infected horse is ingested by another horse and can also be transmitted when horses make oral contact with surfaces contaminated with infected feces.
© 2020 by Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center New window.
Here are the known facts relative to coronavirus in horses according to their reports:
Transmission: Coronavirus is spread when feces from an infected horse are ingested by another horse (fecal-oral transmission.
The virus can also be transmitted when horses make oral contact with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with infected feces.
Stalls, muck forks, manure spreaders, thermometers, hands, and clothing are common fomites (objects or materials that carry infection).
Coronavirus is most commonly diagnosed in the winter months.
Frequency: Low Incubation period: 2-4 days.
Carrier status: Carrier status is currently unknown but subclinical horses(horses with no clinical signs) have been found to shed the virus.
Shedding period
Shedding period for most horses is unknown(still under investigation), but based on existing reports, the virus has been found to be present in samples 5-21 days post infection. Horses with no clinical signs of the disease can shed the virus.
It is unknown how soon infected horses become infectious, but the feces of infected horses does pose a risk to other horses.
Severity: Mild but mortality does occur in complicated cases.
Miniature horses seem to be more severely affected than other breeds/types.
Clinical signs and symptoms
- Fever up to 105°F (40.5° C)
- Lack of appetite
- Depression
- Colic
- Laying down frequently
- Diarrhea (may or may not be present)
- Low white blood cell count - Complications can occur in rare cases:
- Protein loss
- Dehydration
- Neurologicsigns (such as lethargy, depression, loss of body control) secondary to an excess of ammonia in the system
- Recumbency that can progress to an inability to stand
- Death
Diagnosis is made by a veterinarian submitting samples for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests of a fecal sample. The primary treatment is supportive care based on the clinical signs. Severe cases may require hospitalization for IV fluid treatment or treatment for secondary infections.
Prognosis: Good. Exposure to the virus can result in up to 85% infection rate but most animals do not show clinical signs. Mortality is low but can occur in complicated cases.
Prevention: There is no vaccine to protect horses from Equine Coronavirus infection. The best method of prevention is to maintain high standards of sanitation in all equine facilities and carefully disposing of manure where it cannot contaminate pastures, paddocks or drinking water.
When cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated with feces, clean the surface first to remove all traces of organic matter, then disinfect.
Biosecurity: Any horse with a fever and no evidence of respiratory illness may have ECoV and feces may be infective. These animals should be isolated by handling them last when feeding, grooming and cleaning stalls to prevent possible infection of other animals.
Horses that are moved to a new facility from a facility with horses positive for the virus should be isolated for 3 weeks. Feces can be checked prior to removing horses from isolation.
Press release EDCC