PA COTHers - Neurologic EHV-1 Reported in Pennsylvania

[JetsBuddy]

Neurologic EHV-1 Reported in Pennsylvania
by: The Horse Staff
July 24 2009, Article # 14598

Four horses stabled in Allegheny County, Pa., have been euthanized after developing neurologic signs consistent with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), according to a statement circulated by the Animal Health Emergency Management and Information Network on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services. Three of the euthanized horses tested positive for EHV-1. A fifth horse has since developed signs of the disease.

The four barns on the premises house 117 horses. All of the affected horses were stabled in one barn.

An official quarantine of the entire premises was put into place July 20 by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The quarantine will remain in effect from 21 days after the resolution of clinical signs and all horses test negative for neurologic EHV-1.

Officials are tracing all horses that were in contact with horses from this facility starting July 7.

For more information on equine herpesvirus, see our Special Report.

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=14598

[TheOrangeOne]

Thanks for posting this! Hoping that they caught it early enough...

[dwblover]

Wow, scary. They had a small outbreak last year in PA too. I was boarding my horse up there and the outbreak was very close to us. Luckily they caught it in time and it never spread beyond just a few horses. Still very sad though, and very frightening.

[FindersKeepers]

I live in Allegheny County. The outbreak is horrible. So far it has been confined to one farm, but they have had over 50 horses exposed and 5 euthanized.

The farm with the problem holds trail rides for the public, and is the only farm in the area that does so... makes us really nervous about any strangers showing up at our farm right now.

They have been able to confine it to just this farm though, and as the article says, only 1 barn of the 4 has horses with infection.They have all been quarantined. The farm staff has done an unbelievable job of keeping this confined. They let no one in or out but the barn staff and vets, and the staff attending these horses is no where near the other barns...thats our vets report, but I trust her word on that.

[dwblover]

Sounds very similar to last year for us. We were very scared after we found out one of the boarders at our barn had been to the infected barn for a lesson just a few days before the outbreak, yikes!!! We were all a bit sick for a couple weeks praying nobody started acting strange, which thankfully they never did. The infected barn was also very, very strict about disinfecting, letting no one on or off the property, etc. We also imposed a voluntary quaranitne at our barn for one month. No new boarders were allowed in and we all agreed not to take our horses off the property for the 30 days. I'm wishing you they same very, very good luck that we had! Sounds like the barn where this outbreak occured is being very smart, so everything should work out alright. And of course heartfelt sympathy for those who have lost their horses to this hideous illness.

[EiRide]

Wow, scary. They had a small outbreak last year in PA too. I was boarding my horse up there and the outbreak was very close to us. Luckily they caught it in time and it never spread beyond just a few horses. Still very sad though, and very frightening.

I got quarantined for that! I had hauled in for a lesson, and since the horse who came positive was hand walked in the arena, my property and horses went under state quarantine for a month or so, then they came out and did swabs and whatnot before lifting my status.

I lost a good little mare to neruo rhino about 8 years ago in a big outbreak in Eastern PA; she was on lease to a little girl who was broken hearted about it. I could not even go and see my mare for fear of bringing it home.

It's a horrid disease.

[qhgal]

does anyone know which stable is under quarantine? I am in Westmoreland County, but I do show a lot and just want to be safe!

Thanks!

[JetsBuddy]

The latest news report that I saw states it's Rolling Hills Ranch stable in Bridgeville, Allegheny County. It's a big place - over 100 horses. I feel horrible for the owners of the horses that had to be euthanized.

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Pennsylvania Agriculture Department Issues Quarantine for Allegheny County Horse Stable

Three of Four Sampled Horses Test Positive for Equine Herpesvirus

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Horses at Rolling Hills Ranch stable in Bridgeville, Allegheny County, have been quarantined after at least three horses tested positive for the neurologic form of Equine Herpesvirus, or EHV-1, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.

There is no threat to human health from EHV-1.

"Equine Herpesvirus causes upper respiratory infection and can cause severe neurological disease in horses," said Wolff. "The quarantine was put in place to restrict the movement of horses from the stable and contain the virus."

The quarantine covers the entire property, including five barns housing more than 100 horses. It will remain in effect until a period of 21 days has elapsed without relevant clinical signs in any horses. At that point, all horses will be tested for EHV-1 and the quarantine will be released when all horses test negative.

The attending veterinarian at Rolling Hills Ranch recognized symptoms in several horses consistent with the neurologic form of EHV-1 and alerted the Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services on July 19.

Symptoms of the neurologic form of EHV-1 include loss of coordination, weakness or paralysis of the hind limbs, and incontinence. While other forms of EHV-1 occur commonly in horses, the neurologic form is considered a dangerous transmissible disease.

Presently, the bureau is testing and monitoring horses at Rolling Hills Ranch. Horse owners who have boarded their animals at the facility since July 7 should contact their local veterinarian if the horse exhibits symptoms of the neurologic form of EHV-1. Owners with further concerns may call the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852.

For more information about the bureau visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and click on "Animal and Plant Health" on the left navigation.

CONTACT: Justin Fleming
717-787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-28-2009/0005067516&EDATE=

[qhgal]

Thanks, I feel bad for the owners also. I hope they caught this in time and that no other horses have to be euthanized.

[ashcirgic]

Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.