Multiple cases of EHV-1 in horses have been reported recently in California. This time of year there is an also an increase in movement of equine exhibition and racing stock throughout the state and country, so it is important that horse owners are aware of how the disease is spreading so they can take precautions to prevent the disease from affecting their horses.
Saddled horse near travel trailer
To reduce spread of EHV-1, it is recommended that all hunter/jumper events be postponed for the next 28 days, all equine events be postponed for 14 days, and non-essential horse movements postponed for at least 14 days.
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Representatives of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) are managing the disease incidents in California. The CDFA recommends folks review their website or the Equine Disease Communication Center for the latest updates as they are updated daily as information is received.
At this time, the outbreaks are affecting sport horses that had been or have had exposure to equine participating in events within California. The reports do provide the information that the exposed horses on each of the affected premises have been isolated, are being quarantined and that California officials continue to closely monitor the events.
Recommended Caution for California Equine Events - Letter from Dr. Annette Jones D.V.M., State Veterinarian and Director
Dear Equine Event Coordinators and Participants:
Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) has been detected in multiple horses in several counties in California. If not controlled, it can have significant consequences to the horse industry, infecting thousands of horses due to the extensive mixing of horses at statewide, national, and international horse events.
Equine herpesvirus causes respiratory disease, abortion, neonatal death, and the neurological disease known as EHM.
It spreads in aerosolized secretions, by direct contact, and by contact with surfaces containing infected secretions. Shedding of the virus generally occurs for 7-10 days.
To reduce disease spread, the California State Veterinarian recommends that all hunter/jumper events (the most affected group) be postponed for the next 28 days, all equine events be postponed for the next 14 days, and all non-essential horse movements postponed for at least 14 days.
Horse owners must immediately isolate any horses exhibiting neurologic signs and consult their veterinarian; EHM has mandatory State reporting requirements.
Owners must practice good biosecurity when they move horses in emergency situations or for veterinary care; avoid other horses and don’t share tack/equipment that hasn’t been properly cleaned and disinfected, including farrier and veterinary equipment.
For more information visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html.
This recommendation considers an event when horses from different home premises are brought together at a single location and include, but are not limited to: competitions of any discipline (in state or out of state), rodeos, educational riding clinics, and any travel of horses to an outside facility for lessons or casual/social gathering, etc.
Sanctioned horse racing tracks are exempt from this recommendation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Annette Jones D.V.M.,State Veterinarian and Director Animal Health and Food Safety Services
Updated information on EHV-1 Outbreak
The California epidemiologic investigation is in its early stages, so the status of potentially exposed horses remains unknown, as does the risk of fomite (human) transmission to other facilities that may have occurred during the days preceding the diagnosis and regulatory intervention.
Mitigating risk of disease is a shared responsibility that requires commitment from everyone. Links to the American Association of Equine Practitioners biosecurity guidelines can be downloaded from either the AAEP site at https://aaep.org/site-search?search=biosecurity or the Equine Disease Communication Centers website at www.equinediseasecc.org.
The documents provide good general guidance of practices that should be routinely implemented.
Press release by Karen Ross - Secretary CDFA - With additional information by EquiMed editor.