Equine Herpes Virus type 1
Issue: Equine Herpes Virus UpdateVeterinary Services, December 29, 2006
On November 24, 2006, a shipment of 15 horses from Germany arrived at the New York Animal Import Center in Newburgh, NY. These horses were kept in federal quarantine together. While there, one of the horses developed a fever. This horse was treated and displayed no clinical signs of illness before it and the others were released on November 27.
Eight states received horses from the original shipment. One state, California, received a horse that shortly thereafter died of laboratory-confirmed equine herpes virus (EHV). Florida, after receiving five horses from the original shipment, has now confirmed 11 cases of EHV-1 with two confirmed deaths. The other states that received horses have closely monitored and finalized their quarantines with no deaths or new cases reported.
The trace-back details are as follows:
California: One horse was sent to California and died shortly thereafter of laboratoryconfirmed
EHV-1.
New Hampshire: Four horses were sent to the same premises in New Hampshire. The state veterinarian quarantined all of the horses after learning of the first EHV-1 case. No clinical signs or fevers were noted and the quarantine was lifted 12/26/06.
Massachusetts: A mare and a gelding were shipped to a farm in Massachusetts. These animals were observed in quarantine by an accredited equine practitioner for 30 days. Neither horse showed signs of illness.
North Carolina: A gelding was shipped to North Carolina and quarantined. The state reports there have been no signs of illness.
South Carolina: Two weanlings, not part of the shipment of 15 horses from Germany, were being shipped to South Carolina and mingled with the index horse which was on its way to California. Both of the weanlings were EHV-1 vaccinates. They were placed in voluntary isolation by the owner for 21 days with no signs of illness thus far.
Pennsylvania: A gelding that was shipped to Pennsylvania and quarantined has shown no signs of illness according to attending veterinarians.
Kentucky: A mare was shipped to Kentucky where it was put under quarantine after the state veterinarian learned of the EHV-1 situation. The horse was released from quarantine on Dec 19, after no signs of illness surfaced and it was confirmed PCR test negative for EHV-1.
Florida: Five horses were shipped to Florida. These horses, along with horses they mingled with, are currently under a state quarantine. Florida has confirmed 11 cases of EHV-1 with two confirmed deaths. For more information on Florida’s EHV outbreak, please visit their website at: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/
EHV-1 can be a serious disease of horses that can cause abortion and death. Clinical signs include high fever, neurological symptoms and nasal discharge. The virus can spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing and hands. EHV-1 is endemic to the United States and is usually handled by the states involved. In this instance, the shipment of horses was divided and shipped to multiple states. Since the animals crossed state lines, USDA is assisting involved parties by tracing the animals’ path from entry to end point.
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