We are understandably receiving many calls regarding the EHV-1 outbreak.Dr Hayes wanted to again address your concerns.
The outbreak began with horses that attended a WPRA barrel racing competition in Waco, TX and the BFA the Lazy E Arena is Guthrie, OK. These events have many horses in close contact and stalled in closed barns. This can put a large number of horses at a high risk for getting and spreading a virus, especially when they are moving on to other competitions. The EHV-1 virus is airborne, is spread by horse-to-horse contact, and contaminated buckets and people. It is not spread by mosquitos or other insects.
If your horse has been kept at home or at a stable where none of the horses have attended these barrel events (and had no contact with horses that have), they are at a minimal to no risk due to this outbreak. We at Hayes Equine are taking all precautions. Exposed horses are not allowed into our hospital. These horses should be quarantined and isolated on their home place. Dr Hayes will only see them on a farm call and strict biosecurity is practiced. Dr Hayes and staff will wear hazmat suits and disinfect themselves head to toe in the event of a contact.
It is recommended that your horse have a current Rhino vaccine. Per manufactures instructions, a Rhino/Flu vaccine booster should be given every 6 months. If your horse competes (many horses at an event equals higher risk) giving the EHV-1 vaccine every 3 months is better.
TAHC and OSU recommends that horses that attended the Waco barrel racing competition, the Lazy E and subsequent events be isolated for 2 weeks. Horses known to be exposed are under hold orders by the TAHC for a least 14 days. The normal incubation period is 2-10 days and horses can shed the virus during this period. Take the horse’s temperature am and pm for 14 days. The normal equine temperature is 99-101.5. The first signs are low fever, greater than 101.5. Often the horse is not off their feed. A PCR test can be done to confirm EHV-1 is present, but only when the horse has a fever and clinical signs. The first PCR test can be negative even if the horse does have the virus.
If your horse is in isolation practice strict biosecurity even in it is non symptomatic. Disinfect your hands and change clothes after contact with this horse. Make sure the insolated horse has its own feed and water buckets. Feed and care for this horse last. Do not allow the end of the hose to come in contact with the bucket or submerge it into the water when filling it. If the isolation horse is non symptomatic you can continue to ride it. Ride this horse last and do not ride it with others.
Travel for the potentially exposed horses can resume 21 days post event, after December 11th. TAHC does not have plans to stop movement of all Texas equine. Be sure to check with your destination before traveling outside Texas. Some states have placed additional equine entry requirements or restrictions due to the EHV-1 epidemic.
THE EQUINE HERPES VIRUS (RHINO)
Equine Herpes Virus is a family of equine viruses that occur in horses worldwide. EHV-1 is a highly contagious respiratory virus but with treatment is usually mild. In pregnant mares both the EHV-1 and EHV-4 forms can cause abortions. EHV-1 and EHV-4 (rarely) can both cause the pathic neurologic strain EHVM (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy).
In horses (and humans) the herpes virus can stay in the body and resurface when stress lowers the body’s immune system. In humans it can cause a cold sore. In the horse, the EHV-1 form can cause mild fever and respiratory disease with a snotty nose, cough and sometimes swelling of the legs. Infected horses can shed the virus 7-10 days.
With the neurologic strain form EHM, the virus causes vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) thrombosis (blood clots) and blockage of the spinal cord blood vessels resulting in spinal cord damage & neurologic disease. The first sign is fever then incoordination of the hind legs, tripping, dragging the hind feet, unbalanced, difficulty getting up and urine dribbling or retention. There is a 5% death rate, which is horses that go down and can’t get up.
With EHV-1 and EHVM treatment is with Banamine or Bute to control the fever and in EHVM to decrease the inflammation in the spinal cord. Anti-viral drugs are also used. The horse may require supportive care & IV Fluids.
Vaccinating the horse as recommended can reduce nasal shedding of EHV and reduce viremia (presence of viruses in the blood). We have vaccines that have EHV1 (rhino) in them, (FLU/RHINO, PNEUMABORT K and 7WAY Vetra Gold) that help prevent the respiratory and abortive form, but do not offer protection from the neurologic strain. A vaccine specifically for EHVM has been unsuccessful in development. There is also an EHV-2 form that causes respiratory disease in young horses, for which there is no vaccine.
Caution is recommended at all times during an outbreak. EHV is spread by aerosol particles from nasal discharge or from contaminated surfaces, including people. Practice strict biosecurity protocols. Disinfect all surfaces, equipment and people that come into contact with affected horses.
Horses can be carriers of the EHV disease, show no symptoms, and spread the disease to others. Movement of horses on & off the farms should be according to risk factors.
THE EQUINE HERPES VIRUS (RHINO)
Equine Herpes Virus is a family of equine viruses that occur in horses worldwide. EHV-1 is a highly contagious respiratory virus but with treatment is usually mild. In pregnant mares both the EHV-1 and EHV-4 forms can cause abortions. EHV-1 and EHV-4 (rarely) can both cause the pathic neurologic strain EHVM (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy).
In horses (and humans) the herpes virus can stay in the body and resurface when stress lowers the body’s immune system. In humans it can cause a cold sore. In the horse, the EHV-1 form can cause mild fever and respiratory disease with a snotty nose, cough and sometimes swelling of the legs. Infected horses can shed the virus 7-10 days.
With the neurologic strain form EHM, the virus causes vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) thrombosis (blood clots) and blockage of the spinal cord blood vessels resulting in spinal cord damage & neurologic disease. The first sign is fever then incoordination of the hind legs, tripping, dragging the hind feet, unbalanced, difficulty getting up and urine dribbling or retention. There is a 5% death rate, which is horses that go down and can’t get up.
With EHV-1 and EHVM treatment is with Banamine or Bute to control the fever and in EHVM to decrease the inflammation in the spinal cord. Anti-viral drugs are also used. The horse may require supportive care & IV Fluids.
Vaccinating the horse as recommended can reduce nasal shedding of EHV and reduce viremia (presence of viruses in the blood). We have vaccines that have EHV1 (rhino) in them, (FLU/RHINO, PNEUMABORT K and 7WAY Vetra Gold) that help prevent the respiratory and abortive form, but do not offer protection from the neurologic strain. A vaccine specifically for EHVM has been unsuccessful in development. There is also an EHV-2 form that causes respiratory disease in young horses, for which there is no vaccine.
Caution is recommended at all times during an outbreak. EHV is spread by aerosol particles from nasal discharge or from contaminated surfaces, including people. Practice strict biosecurity protocols. Disinfect all surfaces, equipment and people that come into contact with affected horses.
Horses can be carriers of the EHV disease, show no symptoms, and spread the disease to others. Movement of horses on & off the farms should be according to risk factors.
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