media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May
23, 2011
EHV-1 Update
Nine Confirmed Cases of EHV-1 in Colorado Horses
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture
continues to investigate the spread of Equine Herpesvirus
(EHV-1) in the state.
As of 5/23/2011, 12pm:
BACKGROUND
Colorado
State Fair Horse Shows Cancelled
Colorado State Fair organizers have
voluntarily cancelled three equine events following the spread of EHV-1.
“We decided to reschedule these events to
limit the number of horses traveling to and from our fairgrounds,” said State
Fair General Manager Chris Wiseman. “Our
horse shows are important to the Fair and to Colorado as a whole and we want to
be proactive in protecting our horse community.”
Facts
about EHV-1 Vaccines
The common vaccines available for EHV-1
immunization do not protect against the neurological form of EHV-1 disease
which is commonly called equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). These immunizations do protect
against the respiratory and abortion forms of the disease.
The EHV-1 vaccines are thought to reduce the
shedding of the virus and may decrease the amount of circulating virus in the
system of infected horses. So vaccinations prior to infection may help reduce
the severity of an outbreak.
In the face of an EHV-1 outbreak, the value of
vaccinating EHV-1 affected horses or exposed horses is questionable and may be
detrimental to the horse. When an EHV-1 outbreak occurs, it may be helpful to
give an EHV-1 booster immunization in a previously vaccinated, unexposed horse.
Consult with your veterinarian to determine
the best vaccination and treatment strategy for your horses in your particular
situation.
New Travel
Requirements for Horses Entering Colorado
Standard requirements for horses entering Colorado
include a health certificate issued within 30 days of their arrival and a negative
Coggins test within 12 months. The new requirement consists of a permit to
enter the state. Horse owners who wish
to bring their horse into Colorado must first call their veterinarian. That veterinarian can then contact the
Colorado Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian’s Office at (303)
239-4161 and request a permit number.
That number would then be included on the health certificate.
Additional
Travel Tips for Horse Owners Traveling To or From Colorado
1.
Contact the State Veterinarian’s Office of the destination state to find out if travel
requirements have changed for that state.
2.
Call organizers of the event to see if they have new
health requirements or if it has been cancelled.
3.
If traveling, practice appropriate biosecurity
measures. Biosecurity tips may be found
at www.colorado.gov/ag.
4. Isolate
any new animals and those returning to the home premises for three weeks when
possible.
5. Use
separate water, feed supplies and equipment.
6.
Continue to monitor the CDA webpage at www.colorado.gov/ag for further
information to aid in the decision making for transporting horses.
If your horse attended the
Ogden, Utah event:
CDA
encourages all horse owners who attended the Ogden, UT, to notify their
veterinarian and isolate and monitor their horses for clinical signs of the
disease. These horses should have their temperature taken twice a day. Horses
with elevated temperature can be sampled by a veterinarian to analyze whether
their horse is shedding EHV-1. Individual horse and barn bio-security is very
important. Some horses may not show
signs of the disease but may still be a carrier. Those owners are also
encouraged to restrict movement of their horses.
General
Disease Information
EHV-1
is not transmissible to people; it can be a serious equine disease that can
cause respiratory and neurological clinical signs; it can even result in death.
The most common way for EHV-1 to spread is by direct horse-to-horse
contact. It can also be spread by
contaminated tack, equipment, and people’s clothing. In addition, the virus can
be spread through aerosols (airborne) for a limited distance.
Symptoms
include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss
of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain
balance, lethargy, and the inability to rise. While there is no cure, the
symptoms of the disease may be treatable.
Horse owners should isolate any sick horses and immediately contact
their veterinarian. Any individual horse
with clinical signs consistent with neurological EHV-1 infection should be
removed immediately from the area and placed in a separate enclosure for
isolation.
Additional
resources can be found at www.colorado.gov/ag.
The
Department has received numerous calls from veterinarians, horse owners and
media. To help facilitate a timely response, please see the following list.
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