Herpesvirus: Six Virginia Farms Quarantined
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Feb. 21, 2007 - Under the direction of State Veterinarian Richard Wilkes, veterinarians with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) are currently quarantining six farms in Northern Virginia with horses that might have been exposed to a horse infected with the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The Maryland Department of Agriculture is working with similarly-exposed animals in that state. The infected horse was treated at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va., which is also under quarantine.
Quarantines will restrict movement on and off the affected facilities. In addition, veterinarians are urging horse owners to observe strict hygiene control procedures, including a thorough cleaning and disinfecting routine using a proven disinfectant/cleaner, to avoid spreading the disease in the environment.
Equine herpesvirus-1 (also known as rhinopneumonitis virus) is a highly infectious disease that usually affects the respiratory system. Occasionally, the virus can also cause neurologic disease. Transmission likely occurs by inhaling infected droplets or ingesting material contaminated by nasal discharges or aborted fetuses.
Clinical symptoms include a fever of 101.5 or higher (or one or more degrees above the horse's normal rectal temperature) difficulty urinating, depression, and stumbling or weakness in the hind limbs. Supportive therapy is often successful in treating these cases. In severe cases, horses will be unable to stand; these cases have a very poor prognosis.
For more information on EHV-1, horse owners should check with their veterinarian, contact VDACS' Division of Animal and Food Industry Services at 804/692-0601, or go to www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/ehv_2005.htm.
Related EHV1 Articles:
Jan 9, 2007 - EHV-1, Daily Status Table and Definitions. Of the 13 infected horses 7 have neurological signs. Read more>
Jan. 7th & 8th, 2007 - No new clinical cases reported. No new quarantines issued. Quarantine at Payson Park modified on 01/06/07 Read more>
Jan. 4, 5, & 6, 2007 No new clinical cases reported. No new quarantines issued. Read more>
Jan. 1, 2 & 3, 2007, & Dec. 31st, 2006- No new clinical cases reported for the past 4 days. No new quarantines issued. Read more>
Dec. 30, 2006 8pm, One new death, one new clinical case at Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex already under state quarantine. AM: One new presumed infected case located at a facility already under state quarantine.
Dec. 30, 2006 8pm, Current Situation: One new death, one new clinical case at Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex already under state quarantine. No new quarantines issued today. AM: One new presumed infected case located at a facility already under state quarantine.
Dec. 29, 2006 Current Situation: One new confirmed case of equine herpesvirus located at a facility already under state quarantine. No new quarantines issued as of Dec. 28th
Dec. 28, 2006 No new confirmed cases or quarantines at this time. Three strike teams collected temperature check charts, stall inventories, and trainer contacts from all facilities under mandatory state quarantine. Dr. Diane Kitchen is tracing movements of the exposed and infected horses. Dr. Mike Short is corresponding with area veterinarians on health and testing issues. Public Information Officer Mark Fagan is preparing Spanish language information sheets for distribution. (FLSART)
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