April 10, 2008 Murray State University Takes Precautions Against Spread of Equine Herpesvirus One horse at the Murray State University Equine Unit in Murray, Ky., has tested positive for equine herpesvirus  myeloencephalopathy caused by equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), according to Rusty Ford, equine programs manager with the  Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and information provided by Murray State University. The Kentucky State Veterinarian's office issued a quarantine at the Murray State University Equine Unit on Tuesday, April 8,  after a student boarder's horse showed symptoms consistent with neurologic EHV-1. The horse was immediately transported  from the site to an equine hospital in Lexington, Ky. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR laboratory testing late Tuesday  evening. A total of 128 horses are under quarantine until testing is complete. No other horses at this time (April 9) were showing  clinical signs consistent with the neurologic form of EHV-1. Officials with Kentucky Department of Agriculture have ordered biosecurity measures at the student barn and the university  equine barns. Symptoms of equine herpesvirus most commonly include fever and an upper respiratory tract infection. The symptoms can also  include lethargy, loss of appetite, nasal discharge, and coughing. In the neurologic cases, horses can suffer a loss of  coordination, an inability to stand, inability to control the bladder, and the illness can be fatal in horses that become  recumbent. The virus can be spread through the respiratory tract of the horse, although studies on the virus indicate that it is very  short-lived in the environment and is easily killed by disinfectants. The maximum extent of the airborne transmission of the  virus is believed to be less than 75 feet. Horses can also contract the disease if they come in contact with the clothing  or hands of a person who has worked with an infected horse, the tack or equipment worn by an infected horse, or a shared  food or water source with an infected horse. Ford and Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert Stout, DVM, said implementation of the quarantine and its associated biosecurity  measures was ordered in an effort to contain and isolate any possible EHV-1 cases to the affected barn and minimize the  spread of the virus among the horse population at Murray State University. "Quick response by Murray State University and the implementation of biosecurity measures should minimize the spread of  the virus," said Ford. Diagnostic testing to more accurately define the situation is underway at the Breathitt Veterinary  Center in Hopkinsville, Ky. The imposed quarantine does not affect scheduled events at the William "Bill" Cherry Exposition Center. After thorough  assessment of the premises, officials with the Kentucky State Veterinarian's Office and Breathitt Veterinary Center are  confident that with implementation of biosecurity measures, the Exposition Center is a safe environment for equine  activities to continue as scheduled. The situation will remain under the surveillance of the state veterinarian's office. The disease management strategies  will be re-evaluated as test results become available.

Copyright:  Alberta Equestrian Federation

5/17/2008 : 3:45:09 AM