I thought that I should address this here since many people check the blog on a regular basis for news and updates. As most of you probably already know, a necropsy on a horse brought into the U.T. School of Veterinary Medicine Equine Hospital last Thursday, September 15th, which had to be euthanized on Friday, September 16th, has confirmed that the horse was infected with the neurotropic form of EHV-1 (Equine Herpes Virus-1.) The Tennessee State Veterinarian placed both the U.T. School of Veterinary Medicine Equine Hospital and The Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge,where the infected horse originated, under initially a seven day quarantine which has now been extended to two weeks.
EHV-1 is extremely contagious. An outbreak which began at the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championship in Ogden, Utah in May spread to four surrounding states and Canada. Horse shows and events across the Western U.S. and Canada were canceled for a month following the outbreak. Although doctors at UT Equine Hospital remain cautious, there have been no new cases of EHV-1 diagnosed at the hospital or in East Tennessee after the initial case last Thursday.
Equine Herpes Virus-1 infection can be spread to other horses, llamas and alpacas through airborne fluids such as the result of a sneeze. It can also be spread by sharing feed, brushes, water and other equipment. If an infected horse is introduced to a previously unexposed herd, up to 70% of that herd can expect to be infected if precautions are not taken to limit exposure. Infection causes abortion and respiratory distress. Encephalitis can develop which can lead to ataxia, paralysis and death. Although the disease is highly infectious, not every horse that comes in contact with the contagion develops the disease or becomes symptomatic. As with most infectious diseases pregnant mares, very young, very old and sick horses as well as horses under stress are the most susceptible.
EHV-1 is a mutant virus from the same family as the Rhino virus but, although being up to date on your Rhino vaccine can help to alleviate and lessen symptoms, there really is not an affective vaccine for EHV-1. Still, veterinarians are recommending making certain that your Rhino boosters are up to date and suggest that if your horses have not been inoculated in under five months, that you give them a booster. My vet, Dr. Melissa Hamilton, has suggested that her patients not only get boosters but until the quarantine is lifted that horse owners keep their horses as isolated as possible and avoid places where strange horses will be gathered such as shows and trail rides. She also suggests that if you come in contact with strange horses, you should wash up well before being around your own horses.
The University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine Equine Hospital will still be taking emergency patients for surgery but once the horses are at the hospital, they will not be allowed to leave until the quarantine is lifted. Owners however will not be charged for the additional days.
U.T. is also holding an owners forum which will be webcast this Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00 PM and should address any questions and concerns that you might have. Check the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture website for more information on the webcast and news updates on the virus.
EHV-1 is extremely contagious. An outbreak which began at the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championship in Ogden, Utah in May spread to four surrounding states and Canada. Horse shows and events across the Western U.S. and Canada were canceled for a month following the outbreak. Although doctors at UT Equine Hospital remain cautious, there have been no new cases of EHV-1 diagnosed at the hospital or in East Tennessee after the initial case last Thursday.
Equine Herpes Virus-1 infection can be spread to other horses, llamas and alpacas through airborne fluids such as the result of a sneeze. It can also be spread by sharing feed, brushes, water and other equipment. If an infected horse is introduced to a previously unexposed herd, up to 70% of that herd can expect to be infected if precautions are not taken to limit exposure. Infection causes abortion and respiratory distress. Encephalitis can develop which can lead to ataxia, paralysis and death. Although the disease is highly infectious, not every horse that comes in contact with the contagion develops the disease or becomes symptomatic. As with most infectious diseases pregnant mares, very young, very old and sick horses as well as horses under stress are the most susceptible.
EHV-1 is a mutant virus from the same family as the Rhino virus but, although being up to date on your Rhino vaccine can help to alleviate and lessen symptoms, there really is not an affective vaccine for EHV-1. Still, veterinarians are recommending making certain that your Rhino boosters are up to date and suggest that if your horses have not been inoculated in under five months, that you give them a booster. My vet, Dr. Melissa Hamilton, has suggested that her patients not only get boosters but until the quarantine is lifted that horse owners keep their horses as isolated as possible and avoid places where strange horses will be gathered such as shows and trail rides. She also suggests that if you come in contact with strange horses, you should wash up well before being around your own horses.
The University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine Equine Hospital will still be taking emergency patients for surgery but once the horses are at the hospital, they will not be allowed to leave until the quarantine is lifted. Owners however will not be charged for the additional days.
U.T. is also holding an owners forum which will be webcast this Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00 PM and should address any questions and concerns that you might have. Check the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture website for more information on the webcast and news updates on the virus.
0 comments:
Post a Comment