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April 30, 2008 Equine group spreads biosecurity message after recent equine herpes virus outbreak in Sask. The Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF) is urging all horse owners in the province to learn and implement biosecurity practices that would provide optimal measures to prevent their horses from becoming infected with communicable and potentially fatal diseases. An outbreak of the neurological form of equine herpes virus type-1 (EHV-1) on two farms near Saskatoon in mid-March helped push the federation into action, says Bill desBarres, a spokesperson for the group. EHV is common in horses worldwide. Latent infections are thought to be activated when a horse is stressed and then sheds the virus. Clinical signs or symptoms can include fever, coughs and nasal discharges. There has been sporadic occurrence of the neurological form of EHV-1. The respiratory and abortion type of EHV-1 is observed annually in Alberta’s horse population of about 300,000 which accounts for about one third of all the horses in the country. “The problem is getting people to recognize it is a problem,” says desBarres, who raises Appaloosa horses. “Because we have enjoyed a minimum of infections we became complacent and ignored the potential situations.” The time for complacency appears to be over. “We found that the stables and horse owners are basically unaware of equine herpes disease,” desBarres says. The AEF web site at www.albertaequestrian.com has an informative biosecurity brochure that can be downloaded and printed. “We need to recognize that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” he says. “The bottom line -- prevention is financially, and ethically much cheaper and better than the cure.” The AEF encourages anyone who sees a horse or horses or other livestock that look sick or in distress of any kind to call the ALERT LINE at 1-800-506-2273 toll free. The Alert Line will receive anonymous or other reporting calls and is operated by Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) as a service to the Alberta livestock industry The AEF has partnered with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the University of Calgary, AFAC and other groups to provide the information and use related to biosecurity measures that would better protect our Alberta horse herd. According to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) information sheet, the new mutated form of EHV-1 seems to spread faster and act more quickly when horses become infected. Vaccines for EHV-1 do not guarantee protection against the virus, at this time. The virus is transmitted in the air and by direct or indirect contact. It does not infect people. The USDA says practicing comprehensive biosecurity, in consultation with a veterinarian, is the best way to battle the virus or to quell outbreaks. Cases involving EHV-1 in the U.S. are growing, as is the mortality and morbidity rate, the USDA says. The virus is a major cause of respiratory disease and abortion and an occasional cause of neurological disease The signs for neurological disease can include bad coordination and incontinence. In severe cases horse will not be able to rise or will sit like a dog. If any of these symptoms are observed tests should be conducted immediately by a veterinarian. Sources: 1) USDA Veterinary Services, Centres for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy: A Potential Emerging Disease, Jan. 2007. 2) American Association of Equine Practitioners, Equine Herpes Virus: Fact Sheet. 3) Alberta Equestrian Federation website: www.albertaequestrian.com
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| Copyright: Alberta Equestrian Federation | |
| 5/17/2008 : 3:42:44 AM | |