The Big EHV-1 Thread (was: wellington equine herpes)

[seahorse]

Has anyone heard about the horses that have died of the neurological form of equine herpes? I am hearing conflicting stories. Did Debbie Stephens horse Cosequin CEO die on Sun. from this? Did Darrah Kerrins lose a horse to this also?

[bhrunner06]

im not sure about specifics but apparently like everyone went into lock down! thats scary!! would love to hear more about specifics though!!

[spoiledsweet]

One of the vets down there said that a few horses have been diagnosed. There are not rampant deaths and tons of cases, though that apparently is one of the rumors flying around.The vet said everyone is vaccinating in hopes of avoiding an escalating problem.

[CBoylen]

I've heard one confirmed case, and one possibly related.
Everyone is taking measures to prevent interaction, and the vets are all in contact and on top of things. Hopefully with everyone working together the situation won't escalate.

[bhrunner06]

just got a phone call from a good friend down in florida...3 are now dead. every barn is in lock-down...no horses in, no horses out. they dont even want people going to different barns because it can attach to clothing and then transfer to other horses. She also told me that there is word out down there about a possible quarantine all of wellington!

does anyone know if these cases are from the same barns or different barns?

[whippethouse]

I just spoke with my trainer. She was told that one horse died at a farm at Palm Beach Point and that other horses at the showgrounds have been diagnosed. She was trying to reach her vet to get confirmation/details.

[`reppy]

Not that I'm going but, is this going to affect WEF? Just curious.

Hope everything turns out ok.

[Jane]

Not that I'm going but, is this going to affect WEF? Just curious.


If it turns out to be widely spread, definitely. A large number of the horses are scheduled to ship down this month.

[harryjohnson Aefvue Senior Gardens]

I certainly hope for the horses' sakes that this is isolated cases, and not widespread, there are so many lovely animals there. Is anyone certain as if it were horses or if perhaps it were people? I know herpes is supposed to be quite common in people.

[oleary157]

would this for any reason interfere with people at HITS Ocala?

[CBoylen]

The AGA show scheduled for this week has been canceled due to the health concerns.

[Claudius]

I wonder if this is the same virus that caused Monmouth Park to be quarentined this fall as well as some barns at Phila. Park.?

Is there any consenses of which vaccine is most effective....intramuscular(killed virus), or intranasal (live virus)???

Is it strictly contactspread or airborne???

And is there any consensus as to frequency of vaccinations??

I hope someone who talks to Palm Beach Equine ,or one of the other big practices down there, can get the "skinny" on this and share it on this board.

[harryjohnson Aefvue Senior Gardens]

That is terrible that the show for this weekend had to be cancelled, which pretty much confirms it was indeed equine and not human in nature.

[CBoylen]

I hope someone who talks to Palm Beach Equine ,or one of the other big practices down there, can get the "skinny" on this and share it on this board.
We had our home vets talk to our vets in FL today, and they recommended that we re-booster everything. We had everything re-vaccinated today, and have a planned departure date of the 27th, but of course will move no horses while there is still a concern. The barn where we have reserved stalls is quarantined at this time anyway, for the protection of the occupants.

[actcasual]

Is there a press release about any of this yet??

[harryjohnson Aefvue Senior Gardens]

C.Boylen, do you generally stable right at the showgrounds, or at an off-grounds farm? Would you say this outbreak is confined just to the venue?
I cannot fathom how many possible farms there are in that area, but judging from the real estate rentals and sales I see advertised, there must be many.

[seahorse]

Thanks everyone for the updates. One of my horses was scheduled to ship to Wellington this Monday. I obviously pulled him from the truck and will also wait and see.

[CBoylen]

C.Boylen, do you generally stable right at the showgrounds, or at an off-grounds farm? Would you say this outbreak is confined just to the venue?
I cannot fathom how many possible farms there are in that area, but judging from the real estate rentals and sales I see advertised, there must be many.
__________________

We are off grounds this year for the first time in years. I have not heard any confirmed cases on the actual WEF venue. I can only get confirmation on now three reported cases, and my mother is down there and has been trying to get accurate information to us all day. It's hard at this point I think to separate rumor from actual facts, but I don't think anyone can be too careful.

[Heineken]

I just got the same report about a Nashville/Chatanooga area farm today as well. A horse brought in from Europe gave it to a bunch in the barn. Just an FYI.

[Dow Jones]

Nashville is about 2-3 hours from Chattanooga.

[Heineken]

My sister lives in Chattanooga and the barn is between her and Nashville, I only heard the story from her today and don't know the name of the barn.

[luckydog]

dont want to spread any rumors but my trainer said 2 horses died recently from the herpe virus that were recently released from quarateen barns. Both were not on the wef show grounds. One is off south shore and the other is south of the show, not sure of exact location.
I hope this dosent spread any farther. good luck to all who it effects.

[A L T E R]

December 13, 2006

DISEASE ALERT

"The Division of Animal Industry is currently investigating a possible EHV-1 outbreak in Wellington, Florida. On Monday December 11, this office was contacted concerning two horses that had neurological signs consistent with EHV-1 infection. One of the horses was euthanized on Sunday December 10 due to the severity of clinical signs. The existing neurological case, which we believe is the index case, is being treated and is isolated at a local veterinary clinic. Samples have been collected on six horses from the index barn and were submitted for PCR and virus isolation.

The index horse was imported from Europe through the Animal Import Center in New York and arrived in Wellington on November 29th. The premises in Wellington that had both clinical cases is now under state quarantine.

This Division is continuing the investigation to determine if additional steps to prevent the spread of disease are indicated. Additional updates will be forthcoming as more information is obtained. "

[cartera45]

Unfortunately, there is not much evidence that the vaccinations work against the neurological form of the virus. In fact, there is a school of thought among quite reputable people that the virus may have mutated because of the vaccinations. If this is truly the same virus that broke out in a couple of barns in Maryland over the last couple of years, no one will be going anywhere for some time. Horses are only released from quarantine 21 days after the last clinical sign of the disease. It is highly contagious and can be spread in the air for a short time after infection.

[cartera45]

December 13, 2006

DISEASE ALERT

"The Division of Animal Industry is currently investigating a possible EHV-1 outbreak in Wellington, Florida. On Monday December 11, this office was contacted concerning two horses that had neurological signs consistent with EHV-1 infection. One of the horses was euthanized on Sunday December 10 due to the severity of clinical signs. The existing neurological case, which we believe is the index case, is being treated and is isolated at a local veterinary clinic. Samples have been collected on six horses from the index barn and were submitted for PCR and virus isolation.

The index horse was imported from Europe through the Animal Import Center in New York and arrived in Wellington on November 29th. The premises in Wellington that had both clinical cases is now under state quarantine.

This Division is continuing the investigation to determine if additional steps to prevent the spread of disease are indicated. Additional updates will be forthcoming as more information is obtained. "

Let's hope the show world handles it better than the racing industry did.

[Kikki]

What barns have been quarantined, either the horses' protection or for suspected cases? This all is such mess and VERY scary!

[Renn/aissance]

Oh goodness. After two years of this in Maryland... The only good that can come of this is possibly more knowledge about the disease and how to control it.

I hope no more horses are affected.

[hackinaround]

I would love to know what barns or areas these horses came from. We have horses that were at The National.

[Platinum Equestrian]

I've been out of state on business and just returned home to see this. We're suppose to head down after the holiday - anyone hear anymore news?

[clearound]

I spoke to my trainer this evening who has my horse as well as 24 others at his farm in Grand Prix Village. He advised me that the herpes virus has not been confirmed. From what he told me after speaking with our vet there, there has only been one horse who died who belonged to Debbie Stephens. This horse was not a recent import. Another horse belonging to Darragh Kerins also died. However, this horse had been ill with pnumonia prior to the death of Debbie's horse. I know of no lock down or other quarenteen. As of 6:00 p.m. he told me the horse show was still on although our barn has decided not to show due to our vet's recomendation that the horses stay on the farm until they figure out what is going on.

[Heineken]

The barn in Tenn is Noah's Ark Farm and they are in self-imposed quarantine.

[Molly99]

clearround that is exactly what I was told from an official at the show. As of now the show has NOT been cancelled by management. However the entries were already light (only jumpers). I would imagine that many barns are imposing their own quarantine until the facts are all in. It was a shame about Debbie's horse, but it has not been showing and was not on the grounds recently.

[Silver Bells]

What a shame... :no:

[Kikki]

Phelpssports.com has a release about the AGA show being cancelled, but as I am not a subscriber, I don't know what it says. Maybe someone who subscribes can fill us in on what it says. I can't find any other press releases about it yet.

[CBoylen]

As of 6:00 p.m. he told me the horse show was still on although our barn has decided not to show due to our vet's recomendation that the horses stay on the farm until they figure out what is going on.
Phelps Sports has reported the show as canceled.

[harryjohnson Aefvue Senior Gardens]

I would imagine that if this is an airborne virus that many of the farms are close enough to each other to spread the disease without the horses moving off farm?

[ponybreeder]

The Herpes Virus has not been confirmed, so I suggest everyone pray or Jingle or cross your fingers that it is not. If it is, the outcome of all of this could be worse than any of us can imagine. And I am not generally prone to high drama.

[Kinsella]

The barn in Tenn is Noah's Ark Farm and they are in self-imposed quarantine.

The barn in TN is actually West Wind, just outside of Knoxville. A horse that was imported with a few of theirs died from EHV-1 when it arrived in CA. It had spent a few days at their barn, and they have voluntarily quarantined though they have no horses showing any symptoms.

[little miss]

I have been told that we will not have horses showing this weekend. That the show has been cancelled. In addition to this we have horses in both Grand Prix Village and Littlewood and we have been told that we can NOT bring our Littlewood horses over to the farm in GPV as of NOW - until further notice. I was called a few hours ago about this (before night check) and I will hear more about it tomorrow I'm sure.

We heard about it monday / tuesday and our horses have gotten all bosters... but they have all been trail riding the last days and back and forth from littlewood, etc.

[ponybreeder]

Hi Kinsella!!

[Kinsella]

Hi PB!! Sending you a PM...

[harryjohnson Aefvue Senior Gardens]

PB is right, it would have a huge economic impact on our sport.

[clearound]

as well as a devastating emotional impact on the owners who lost horses.

[harryjohnson Aefvue Senior Gardens]

That goes without saying, clearound. I cannot imagine how horrible that would be.

[Showponymom Aefvue Mid Atlantic Division]

December 13, 2006

DISEASE ALERT

"The Division of Animal Industry is currently investigating a possible EHV-1 outbreak in Wellington, Florida. On Monday December 11, this office was contacted concerning two horses that had neurological signs consistent with EHV-1 infection. One of the horses was euthanized on Sunday December 10 due to the severity of clinical signs. The existing neurological case, which we believe is the index case, is being treated and is isolated at a local veterinary clinic. Samples have been collected on six horses from the index barn and were submitted for PCR and virus isolation.

The index horse was imported from Europe through the Animal Import Center in New York and arrived in Wellington on November 29th. The premises in Wellington that had both clinical cases is now under state quarantine.

This Division is continuing the investigation to determine if additional steps to prevent the spread of disease are indicated. Additional updates will be forthcoming as more information is obtained. "

Is this the Import quarantine barn in Albany that this horse came from????

[cartera45]

I would imagine that if this is an airborne virus that many of the farms are close enough to each other to spread the disease without the horses moving off farm?

I do not believe it can travel that far. The virus is fairly short lived but is very contagious while it is around. By airborne, I meant that it may be spread by a horse sneezing or snorting so others around it would be affected. At Pimlico, I believe it did go from one barn to another and that was really a concern because they thought that as long as they contained it in one barn, it would stay there. It was later rumored that they used a horse to pony horses from different barns.

[Showponymom Aefvue Mid Atlantic Division]

I do not believe it can travel that far. The virus is fairly short lived but is very contagious while it is around. By airborne, I meant that it may be spread by a horse sneezing or snorting so others around it would be affected. At Pimlico, I believe it did go from one barn to another and that was really a concern because they thought that as long as they contained it in one barn, it would stay there. It was later rumored that they used a horse to pony horses from different barns.

What about a horse sneezing on a braider and then they go to another barn to braid. Would it live long enought to be spread that way?

[harryjohnson Aefvue Senior Gardens]

Thanks for the info Cartera. When things like this happen, you think twice about taking your horse anywhere at all.

[cartera45]

I spoke to my trainer this evening who has my horse as well as 24 others at his farm in Grand Prix Village. He advised me that the herpes virus has not been confirmed. From what he told me after speaking with our vet there, there has only been one horse who died who belonged to Debbie Stephens. This horse was not a recent import. Another horse belonging to Darragh Kerins also died. However, this horse had been ill with pnumonia prior to the death of Debbie's horse. I know of no lock down or other quarenteen. As of 6:00 p.m. he told me the horse show was still on although our barn has decided not to show due to our vet's recomendation that the horses stay on the farm until they figure out what is going on.

Good idea - if they have any suspicion that it is the neurologic form of the virus, they absolutely have to put economic issues aside and shut everything down. This disease is insidious and if it doesn't kill its host, it can have devastating long term effects. That was the mistake some of racetracks made - they let things get out of hand while waiting for the blood work to confirm. A COTH member lost one of her top eventers on the eastern shore of Maryland because Pimlico let a horse go before getting confirmation.

[Renn/aissance]

At Pimlico, I believe it did go from one barn to another

Yes, it did, and it is thought that it was transmitted from barn to barn by a worker or a piece of equipment that was not disinfected. So SPM, yes, your scenario is absolutely possible.

[cartera45]

Thanks for the info Cartera. When things like this happen, you think twice about taking your horse anywhere at all.

We lived in fear two years in a row around here and several horses died at the track and at a show barn. The show barn was quarantined for months with the poor horses stall bound - the owners were not even allowed in. Horseshows were cancelled, no one took in any OTTBs from the tracks. Many of the horse professionals around here go to the track regularly - farriers, vets, masseuses, etc. etc. Everyone was paranoid about letting anyone on their property. If a horse sneezed, the thermometer was out before you could say "Bless you."

[hackinaround]

Spread of the Virus
Transmission from horse to horse is usually by close contact aerosol (coughing, sneezing and breathing) and by exposure to oral or nasal discharges from an infected horse. Nasal and oral discharges can also contaminate buckets, clothing, bits, tacks and other equipment.
The cycle of persistent latent (dormant) infection and intermittent shedding by carrier horses is thought to induce sporadic outbreaks or respiratory and/or neurological disease in susceptible populations. The infection is likely life-long, and may flair up causing the horse to be infectious again.

[cartera45]

What about a horse sneezing on a braider and then they go to another barn to braid. Would it live long enought to be spread that way?

I believe it could be spread that way if the braider went right to the other barn. Everyone who enters a quarantined barn wears protective clothing and shoes that they take off when they leave. Tubs of disinfectant are outside doors for all to step in - if any of you have been around a barn with a strangles outbreak, the precautions would be similar.

[dodedo]

The barn in TN is actually West Wind, just outside of Knoxville. A horse that was imported with a few of theirs died from EHV-1 when it arrived in CA. It had spent a few days at their barn, and they have voluntarily quarantined though they have no horses showing any symptoms.


I hope this is not the West Wind that has that awsome stallion Ricky Martin is it????:no:

[just_me]

What are the symptoms?

[ponybreeder]

This is taken from a Baltimore Newspaper article about a year ago when they had the outbreak at pimliico


Sun reporter
Originally published January 15, 2006
Equine herpes virus 1, the virus that has sickened horses at Pimlico, seems to be infecting more animals than in the past and causing more serious symptoms, experts say.

"It appears that it is more common," said Klaus Osterrieder, a veterinarian and virologist at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. "And it appears that it is nastier."

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The virus, known as EHV-1, causes a wide range of symptoms. It often produces respiratory problems and fever, and it can cause pregnant mares to abort their fetuses. The most severe version attacks the nervous system and can lead to paralysis. The horse that was destroyed Friday at Pimlico suffered from the neurological form and couldn't even sit up.

The virus is a relative of the human herpes virus family, which can cause a variety of symptoms, including cold sores, chickenpox and, in rare cases, neurological problems.

EHV-1 is actually carried by 70 percent to 80 percent of all horses. In most, it lies dormant and causes no symptoms. But for reasons that remain unclear, the virus becomes activated in some horses, at which point the animals show symptoms.

Like many researchers, Osterrieder, who specializes in EHV-1, suspects stress triggers viral activation. "These horses are extreme athletes," he said. "And they are under a lot of stress."

Once a horse comes down with activated EHV-1, it can infect other horses with relative ease. The virus can be transmitted by air and can survive in a wide range of temperatures. It can live on buckets, grooming equipment and human hands. (Although humans can carry it from horse to horse, they are not susceptible to the virus.) EHV-1 is, however, vulnerable to sunlight and detergent.

In the past, EHV-1 outbreaks at tracks or stables have not been unusual. "It circulates constantly," said Rusty Ford, equine program manager for the Kentucky state veterinarian's office. A track in Kentucky, Turfway Park, is now experiencing an outbreak of EHV-1. So far, two horses there have been destroyed after exhibiting neurological symptoms.

What worries veterinarians, horse owners and researchers is that outbreaks seem to be occurring more often and inflicting neurological damage on a larger proportion of those infected.

Some scientists suspect that a particularly destructive strain of EHV-1 might be behind the recent outbreaks. Several studies have uncovered a genetically distinct version of the virus that seems more likely to cause neurological damage.

Others think that increased travel by horses plays a role in the apparent rise in cases. "There are no geographic limitations now. You can go to England or to Dubai like you're going around the corner," said David Zipf, chief veterinarian for the Maryland Racing Commission.

There is no cure for EHV-1. Horses that become sick typically receive antibiotics, which can reduce fever, and cortisone injections, which can minimize nerve damage. But these drugs do not attack the virus itself. In the past two years, some veterinarians have tried acyclovir, a human antiviral medicine, which seems to help some stricken animals.

Horses that are not carriers can take a vaccine to prevent infection. But some veterinarians and horse owners worry that the vaccine might put horses at risk of contracting the virus.

In the absence of a cure, quarantine is the most effective strategy once an outbreak occurs.

david.kohn@baltsun.com

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[enigma99]

If you go to this link: http://thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=7000 there are links to different EHV topics/information including one on neurologic EHV.

[just_me]

thanks ponybreeder.

[Silver Bells]

This is very serious and I will keep my fingers crossed for all the horses already in the Wellinton area. This disease is insidious and has the capabilty of locking down an area in quarantine for upwards of 90 days. :eek:

I have sopken to people who have horses ready to leave next week, and they are holding off indefinitely.

[Silverlining326]

phelpssports.com has confirmed that the horse show this weekend is canceled and a formal press release will be out tomorrow morning

[Kinsella]

I hope this is not the West Wind that has that awsome stallion Ricky Martin is it????:no:
No, different farm entirely. It may be spelled Westwind... But they definitely do not have Ricky Martin. It's a show/lesson barn, not a breeding operation.

[Zipperoo]

I'm down here in Wellington now. Our horses are at Palm Beach Point East. I wasn't around the barn all day and just heard about this. I have no idea what to do. My two horses are here and I feel like going to the barn right now and disinfecting the entire place just in case. FYI, the horse at S&L died well before CEO and was imported from Europe though I'm not sure through what port of entry or when exactly. If anyone has any idea what I can/should do, please post. Thanks.

[Cindeye]

article in Sun-Sentinel (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-splocalequest14dec14,0,2560729.story?coll=sfla-sports-front)
Outbreak of horse virus cancels AGA event at Palm Beach Polo

By Sharon Robb
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted December 14 2006

WELLINGTON · A potentially deadly horse virus has forced officials to cancel this weekend's American Grand Prix Association National Championship at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club.

The AGA event, part of the $100,000 Stadium Jumping Christmas Festival scheduled for Friday and Sunday, was limited to 30 invited riders and horses including Margie Engle, McLain Ward and defending champion Jaime Guerra.

According to a show official, four horses already have died, including veteran rider Debbie Stephens' horse Cosequin's CEO on Sunday. Three farms in the Grand Prix Village, located next to the showgrounds, are in complete lockdown.

Early unconfirmed reports from several officials and riders suspect the virus to be EHV-1, Equine Rhinopneumonitis, more commonly known as equine herpes virus. Official blood tests have not been returned to the Palm Beach Equine Clinic.

"[Cosequin's CEO] was at Dr. Hayes Stevens' clinic and I wanted to commend he and his team for doing everything they could to save him," Stephens wrote in an e-mail.

There is no cure for the disease. Quarantine is the most effective strategy once an outbreak occurs. The virus has a wide range of symptoms from respiratory problems and fever, to pregnant horses aborting fetuses and paralysis.

"Safeguarding the horses in our community and the protection of the equestrian industry in Wellington is our utmost and primary concern," said Stadium Jumping Inc. President Gene Mische. "We would much rather prefer to err on the side of caution than put even a single horse at risk."

Until the disease is confirmed and contained, it's not known how far reaching the effects, if any, will be to the billion dollar horse show industry and future events including the Winter Equestrian Festival, scheduled to begin in late January.

[Kestrel]

Can someone point me to an official web site on this outbreak? Thanks!

[Jane]

Can someone point me to an official web site on this outbreak? Thanks!

Not sure what you meant by "official", but the alert posted by ALTER last night came from FAEP - Disease Alert (http://www.faep.net/healthalert.htm)



Here's another article in today's Palm Beach Post (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/local_news/epaper/2006/12/14/w1c_EQUINE_1214.html):


Sick horses may have contagious virus

By Kelly Wolfe

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Thursday, December 14, 2006

WELLINGTON — The equine herpes virus appears to have traveled to Wellington with the horse show circuit, both state and local veterinarians confirmed Tuesday.

One horse, suffering from neurological disorders, was euthanized Sunday. Tests are being done to confirm whether the animal had the highly contagious virus, which attacks horses' nervous system.

"Based on everything we know, it's highly probable we have some horses with EHV down there," said Mike Short, equine programs manager for the Florida Division of Animal Industry in Tallahassee.

This is the time of year in Wellington when thousands of horses come to town for the Winter Equestrian Festival — which starts in January and lasts until April. Short said he believes a horse from New York carried the virus to a farm in Wellington. Short would not say which farm.

The horse was sick and feverish when it arrived in Florida, Short said. It was housed with about a dozen horses on a Wellington farm. The horse was treated for its fever. But when a second horse at the barn got sick, veterinarians became alarmed. The second horse is the one that was euthanized. The first horse, the New York horse, is actually improving, Short said.

"Hopefully, that horse will make it," he said.

Signs of the virus include: flu-like symptoms, such as respiratory infections with a high fever. In severe cases, it attacks a horse's nervous system and affects coordination and balance.

The virus is carried through the air — giant horse sneezes can travel as far as 35 feet, said veterinarian Kim Snyder of the Palm Beach Equine Clinic.

Short said the virus has an incubation period of up to 21 days — but it usually shows up in about two weeks. The virus is not passed from horse to human.

Four other horses at the same Wellington barn had fevers Tuesday. The farm, meanwhile, is under state-ordered quarantine.

Short said a second New York horse - from the same New York barn - was sent to California and died. Short said he is waiting for test results showing whether that horse had the virus.

Scott Swerdlin, a veterinarian at Palm Beach Equine, said he is treating a horse at Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex that appears to have the virus. Swerdlin said he spent the majority of his day Tuesday vaccinating horses against the virus.

"We're advising all our clients to vaccinate," Swerdlin said.

The virus sends shudders through the horse industry.

In January, Maryland agriculture officials quarantined two barns at Pimlico Race Course after three horses died from equine herpes virus. During that quarantine, several states banned the shipment of horses to and from Maryland.

Last month, New Jersey officials quarantined 57 horses that raced at the Meadowlands after one horse showed signs of the virus.

[Silver Bells]

Any updates? :confused:

[tracy]

bump

[vxf111]

Oh my goodness, this is so scary!

The barn that owns Ricky Martin the black Swedish stallion is in Atlanta, but I believe (correct me if I am wrong) that the horse is elsewhere in training anyway.

Do all recently imported horses come through Albany, or are there various quarantine stations that a horse might come through?

[Dana]

All horses imported must do the mandatory USDA quarantine. As far as I know, you can do this in Newburgh, NY; Miami, FL and Los Angeles, CA. There was an import barn in Atlanta, GA (I believe), but I think it closed.

After the mandatory USDA quarantine, mares and stallions must do an additional CEM quarantine at an approved CEM quarantine station, and these are located across the US.

Dana

[katie16]

Just curious why everyone is so concerned about Wellington (and rightly so), but do not seem that concerned about the New York facility where it seems to have "originated". I must be missing something?

[vxf111]

Not to be a worry wart... but say hypothetically that you're in a barn in PA with some recently imported horses. Should you assume they came through Albany and should you be worried? If so, what precautions can you take?

[nnzc]

I was planning on coming down this weekend. I did not know they canceled the AGA championship. I found out through COTH. SJ has nothing on their website about it. They did not contact me. If I didn't go on COTH, I would not have known. I wonder how many people are planning on showing and have not been notified.

Just received a phone call from SJ, about five minutes after I posted.

[cartera45]

At this point, I'm concerned about it all - we just happen to know more about what's happening in Florida. It will take days and weeks for this to all play out because symptoms take a while to manifest. Every time a symptom appears, another 21 days is added to the quarantine. It appears it may be on the West Coast too. The only possible good thing that can come out of this is that when high profile people and expensive horses are affected, things tend to get done. As bad as the outbreak was at the tracks, they see horses come and go every day and they are not considered by most as friends and pets. Everyone kind of moved on after it was over. Right now, there is no vaccination for this mutated form of the virus. Either one has to be developed, meaning that a pharmaceutical company has to be assured of a huge market for it or, at the very least, more awareness will result so fevers and the sniffles will be taken very seriously.

[Silver Bells]

Phelps press release....
http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/viewarticle.php?id=2282

[Renn/aissance]

Just curious why everyone is so concerned about Wellington (and righly so), but do not seem that concerned about the New York facility where it seems to have "originated".

I'm concerned about it wherever it is- but with all the people that ship into Wellington, it could potentially become a much greater problem than one stable in NY.

[War Admiral]

So a total of FOUR have now died? Or is that an inaccuracy on the part of the PBP?

Jingles anyway. :(

[cartera45]

Not to be a worry wart... but say hypothetically that you're in a barn in PA with some recently imported horses. Should you assume they came through Albany and should you be worried? If so, what precautions can you take?

If what they believe to be the index horse arrived in Wellington on November 29, then we are at the 2 week time frame in which symptoms typically appear so time is working in your favor if horses are not sick yet - and that is assuming there was even exposure, which is probably very unlikely. Other things that mitigate in your favor are that many horses exposed to the virus probably don't get sick. Stress, a weakened immune system and age are factors. Travel is a huge stress factor so that is why we see the outbreaks at racetracks and show barns.

[Kinsella]

Except that the one stable in NY was actually an import/quarantine facility and has apparently sent horses out across the country. The farm in TN, the case in CA, and apparently the cases in FL all originated from horses that came through an import facility in NY.

[MHM]

So a total of FOUR have now died? Or is that an inaccuracy on the part of the PBP?

Jingles anyway. :(

I just spoke to a friend in Wellington. He said three have died there that he knows of for sure, and he's heard talk of another three in Wellington, but that was unconfirmed at this point.

He also said efforts were underway to track down the wherabouts of the other horses who came out of the Newburgh quarantine facility at the same time.

Hope they get this under control ASAP. :(

[CookiePony]

never mind... got my question answered...

[Montanas_Girl]

Can someone please PM me about the case in Knoxville ASAP? I live in Cookeville, which is halfway between Nashville and Knoxville. We often show in both areas (thankfully have been done since Thanksgiving weekend), and I have a handful of barnmates who are horse shopping all over the area right now. Thanks in advance!

[Silverlining326]

If one was considering importing for sure, and the NY quarantine was the closest, should they really consider having the horse come from europe to a different quarantine ??

[War Admiral]

If one was considering importing for sure, and the NY quarantine was the closest, should they really consider having the horse come from europe to a different quarantine ??

I sure would, at least until they get to the bottom of this.

[Chestnut Mare]

Moved to off course - unfortunately this affects more than just the h/j world...

[Kinsella]

The barn in Knoxville is under a self imposed quarantine. They have no horses showing symptoms as of yesterday, but are following quarantine procedures as a precaution. No horses are coming in or going out at this time, and I doubt they are going to allow anyone to come in to try horses until they are sure there is no risk of exposure.

[SaintReaven]

Wow. :( I just read through this for the first time and it's quite shocking. Makes you feel a llittle silly for arguing over photo prices, arabian hunters, poor releases, and garter straps... :no: I hope everything gets better from here. Does anyone know when they will confirm whether or not it was in fact the Herpes virus?

[cartera45]

Except that the one stable in NY was actually an import/quarantine facility and has apparently sent horses out across the country. The farm in TN, the case in CA, and apparently the cases in FL all originated from horses that came through an import facility in NY.

That's why it is crucial that they backtrack and follow every horse that may have been exposed. This may mean a lot of voluntary quarantines, suggestiing that a lot of people have to be trusted to do the right thing. The government, in the past, has not ordered quarantine just because a horse is present that was exposed. I looked at the quarantine regulations and I don't see this virus mentioned as one on the radar screen. That will change I assume.

[ExJumper]

My friend is supposed to get a horse for her birthday. He's around Ocala now and was going to ship out in a couple of weeks. After all this, her trainer is trying to get him sent out of Florida, like, NOW! What do you guys think the odds are that her horse won't be able to ship up to the midwest in the next couple of days? Is there any talk of shutting down any border crossings or anything? Or just the quarentine in the isolated areas already mentioned?

[titan]

Just wondering, considering that information is pointing towards imported horses as carriers, do they actually have the neurologic form of EHV there or did these horses pick it up when they hit state-side? Obviously the eastern US has been dealing with outbreaks for years in MD, PA etc. I haven't really heard that about Europe, just the EIA in Ireland.

[War Admiral]

Hope the mods don't mind that I started a separate thread in Horse Care specifically on symptoms... Would welcome any comments over there from our veterinarian clique... How does the layman go about distinguishing the symptoms of EHV from those of a common cold? :confused:

[LaBonnieBon]

That's why it is crucial that they backtrack and follow every horse that may have been exposed. This may mean a lot of voluntary quarantines, suggestiing that a lot of people have to be trusted to do the right thing. The government, in the past, has not ordered quarantine just because a horse is present that was exposed. I looked at the quarantine regulations and I don't see this virus mentioned as one on the radar screen. That will change I assume.

Voluntary quarantines work for some (like myself) but not for many. A barn last year had strangles and they kept on showing thinking if they left the sick ones at home they were fine..... (waterbuckets were shared by sick and well ones, too) :eek:

One of my horses got strangles, the other bastard strangles and the other 2 were fine. I was so incredibly anal about quarantining my barn, germs, etc. Thankfully it was only a huge bite out of the pocketbook and my horse beat the odds and is alive! :)

[4Martini]

There was a press release about an outbreak at the CSU vet hospital at the end of October - I have heard no follow up about it being released or anything... But there is a good link to some additional info in the press release:
http://agnews.colostate.edu/index.asp?page=news_item_display&news_item_id=478302186

Jingles!

[4Martini]

Oops - found the release press release Nov. 17 so just over two weeks in that case:
http://www.csuvets.colostate.edu/biosecurity/Nov17_eqherpespressrelease.htm
:)

[YoungFilly]

Geesh this is scary. :no:

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

so horrible.

[katie16]

My friend is supposed to get a horse for her birthday. He's around Ocala now and was going to ship out in a couple of weeks. After all this, her trainer is trying to get him sent out of Florida, like, NOW! What do you guys think the odds are that her horse won't be able to ship up to the midwest in the next couple of days? Is there any talk of shutting down any border crossings or anything? Or just the quarentine in the isolated areas already mentioned?

Not sure I would want him on a commercial van either!

Maybe pay the trainer a hefty sum to go get him with the farm van that you know is safe and there are no other horses on it to possibly contaminate him.

[Ghazzu]

Unfortunately, there is not much evidence that the vaccinations work against the neurological form of the virus. In fact, there is a school of thought among quite reputable people that the virus may have mutated because of the vaccinations.


How would vaccination cause a mutation?

[vineyridge]

Plagues are always spread by infected, but not yet ill, people fleeing the disease. If I were the government, I'd figure out some area parameters around Wellington, and not let anyone ship in or out. I'm not sure I wouldn't quarantine the whole state.

If Ocala is in the plague area, I wouldn't try to ship a horse out. It could spread the infection to the Middle West.

Try and act responsibly for the best interests of the whole horse community and not selfishly.

[Valentina_32926]

My friend is supposed to get a horse for her birthday. He's around Ocala now and was going to ship out in a couple of weeks. After all this, her trainer is trying to get him sent out of Florida, like, NOW! What do you guys think the odds are that her horse won't be able to ship up to the midwest in the next couple of days? Is there any talk of shutting down any border crossings or anything? Or just the quarentine in the isolated areas already mentioned?

Ocala is several hours from wELLINGTON, SO i'M BETTING NO LOCKDOWN THAT FAR UP state - at least not yet. But I would follow the other posters suggestion of not using commercial vans. The press release of the Wellington case made it sound like he was transported using a commercial van yet did not say the van had been contactedwas being contacted - and disinfected.

[Meadow36]

I have not heard of any problems in Ocala, although I think it's a good idea to ship the horse out sooner than later, as it might become more difficult to get the horse out of the state as this thing goes on.

[findeight]

Kentucky in particular can move pretty quick to embargo any shipping most of the other states move slower or have no enforcement ability other then a random traffic stop.

You have to be careful about assuming where this came from as well. These horses may go thru a barn in Newburg but they all get on commercial vans for distribution and many do go thru additional quarantine. Have to do a complete job of backtracking to see what the initial infected animals have in common, if you can figure out who the initial infected animals really are.

We went thru this up here in Ohio a few winters ago. It seemed to thrive where large numbers of animals are housed together in a warm environment. Heated barns fared worse as did those with heavy traffic. Ours was left open, not heated anyway and voluntarily locked down. Anything shipping in was kept seperate and nothing went out.
Disinfected everything every time it was used, we had no problem.

We were lucky.

[mairzeadoats]

Uh-oh. I have been in the process of scheduling a shipment of my new horse up from CT, catching a run up from Florida with the same shipper that brought my horse up here 3 years ago.

I found a message from him on my answering machine last night needing "more info about my youngster," and he sounded kind of depressed.

I know he's in Florida right now...so I'm wondering if it's related to this outbreak....

[Sara Lieser]

We just had a call from the owner of the horse that was in Tennesee. He wanted to clarify that the Tennessee farm has been under quarantine and no other horses have shown any symptoms of HPV there for the past few weeks. The horse continued on to Calif. and died, and the Calif. farm was also quarantined. No horse has gotten sick there either.

[Avra]

Just wondering, considering that information is pointing towards imported horses as carriers, do they actually have the neurologic form of EHV there or did these horses pick it up when they hit state-side? Obviously the eastern US has been dealing with outbreaks for years in MD, PA etc. I haven't really heard that about Europe, just the EIA in Ireland.

I believe it's actually more common in Europe than it is here--at least that sticks in my mind from an article I read last year. But it definitely exists over there, and it's possible for a horse to carry it and not be symptomatic--or not have the neuro symptoms, without which it looks like a cold.

[War Admiral]

We just had a call from the owner of the horse that was in Tennesee. He wanted to clarify that the Tennessee farm has been under quarantine and no other horses have shown any symptoms of HPV there for the past few weeks. The horse continued on to Calif. and died, and the Calif. farm was also quarantined. No horse has gotten sick there either.

Well, that's good news, for sure!! Thanks for posting, Sara! :yes:

[LetsRide]

We just had a call from the owner of the horse that was in Tennesee. He wanted to clarify that the Tennessee farm has been under quarantine and no other horses have shown any symptoms of HPV there for the past few weeks. The horse continued on to Calif. and died, and the Calif. farm was also quarantined. No horse has gotten sick there either.

Sara

Where in CA was the farm located where the shipped in horse died from HPV.

:(

[Midge]

Sorry to say this but I just talked to a friend who said a horse died on the Ocala show grounds within the last couple of days.

The original pony who came into WEF that seems to have started the who thing appears to be improving. They believe the pony brought it from Europe.

[ChocoMare]

This is scary for everyone. Mega Jingles for all!!!! :(

[Heineken]

I think this is the only time I've ever been glad I can't afford to go to Florida.

[TBKate]

Sorry to say this but I just talked to a friend who said a horse died on the Ocala show grounds within the last couple of days.

Ok, this makes me REALLY nervous...I'm worried enough with the Wellington issues, but I'm basically in Ocala...talked to my farm owner and although we very seldom have horses come in/out, she's not going to allow any outside schoolers to come in for a while. I'm worried b/c my gelding leaves Monday for Canterbury for training, and with RMI this weekend there, who knows where those horses have been previously? :(

[philosoraptor]

We had a panic up here in Maryland last Dec/Jan when some racehorses came into the Fair Hill training center with possible neurological ehv-1. They brought in experts from the country, vet, and advisors and met with concerned horse owners. I went to the meeting and the gist of it is : don't share water buckets, grooming rags, bits, or anything else that could carry wet saliva/mucous. They felt it wasn't too likely a sneeze on one paddock would result in a horse in another paddock getting sick.

We had people in such a panic they were convinced the whole county had germs. Or the whole 5,200 Fair Hill Natural Resource Area acre park was infected. As it turned out, neither was true.

I remember one person getting so scared, they cautioned others to use alternate routes going up the east coast instead if the usual I-95. Their reasoning whas that the germ could be "in the air" so it wasn't save to enter the whole county.

My friend is supposed to get a horse for her birthday. He's around Ocala now and was going to ship out in a couple of weeks. After all this, her trainer is trying to get him sent out of Florida, like, NOW!

The quarantine is limited to barns or farms, not counties or states. Driving through Ocala won't give you cooties. :)

EHV-1 is out there in EVERY state. In the few rare cases it turns neurologic it hits the news. Otherwise it's just one of those germs that's out there. The vaccine our vet gives called "rhino" is the vaccine for the same virus. Rhino (rhinopneumonitis) is a bad cold -- something many horses are exposed to normally.

What is not yet clear is how effective if any the vaccination is against the neurological form of the virus. Here is one good web site discussing vaccination and EHV-1 http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/2006/060327.Hope.EHVvacc.html

In busy barns we should already be doing many of these things anyway. We still need to protect against strangles, regular ehv1, and other common germs: disinfect bits or dental tools between horses, disinfect yourself if you're going to one high-turnover barn (eg. racehorse) to another, bring your own bucket to shows, etc. If you're grooming barn-to-barn, ideally you would be disinfecting yourself and tools anyway.

All I can say is that before anyone gets overly worried, let's get all the facts in first.

[clearound]

The original pony who came into WEF that seems to have started the who thing appears to be improving. They believe the pony brought it from Europe.

Midge - I heard that a pony at Debbie's barn died. Is that the same pony?


God, this is rumor central. Thank god I am going down there this weekend to see/hear for myself. Although no trail riding for me!

[fermebeaulieufarm]

I think this is the only time I've ever been glad I can't afford to go to Florida.

Same for me, I was crying like a baby because we couldn't afford to "train" our horses at the WEF, and we couldn't get permanent stalls in Ocala.
So I 've sent the rider "to hell" when he decided to go to Arizona......maybe he has a 6th sence :confused:

Good luck to all who're already down there!

We just got 10 horses from Europe last week, hopefully they are all sound because it would be a disaster if they'll infect our other 65 and especially the mares in foal.
I pray!

bea
www.fermebeaulieufarm.com

[Midge]

This is just what I got from my friend who is at WEF, so really, who knows? The pony from Europe is improving. It is at JN's. His barn is under quarantine. Two horse have died, none on the show grounds. The horse that died on the Ocala showgrounds they thought was colicking at first, then exhibited neurologic symptoms. There is some question as to how forthcoming TS is being about that death.

[Heineken]

WHY on earth would you withhold info? I would think a clean show with a clean bill of health is better than a lawsuit? God, that is just disgusting IF it is true!

[Midge]

MayS, I pray we are all panicking unnecessarily.

[just_me]

I just spoke with a vet from the Animal Disease section of the Dept. of Agriculture who called me in response to my email.

Two horses in FL have died from what they believe is severe EHV-1. Tests will confirm by tomorrow. The horses are in the Wellington area. He did not say anything about Ocala. In fact, he said this has occurred only in this one area in FL. They know who the index horse is.

One horse in CA died definitely of EHV-1.

2 barns in FL are quarantined.

Dept. of Ag. is sending two vets down to the area - Dr. Mike Short with the dept. and Dr. Maureen Long with University of Florida.

As of now they are NOT stopping movement within the state or coming in or going out of FL. They will extend the quarantine if this moves out of the current area. They are in close contact with the horse show mgmt (I'm assuming SJ and Littlewood).

Oh yeah, he also said that right now there is no need to panic. I got the feeling that he feels that it may not spread as a lot of people are fearing. He also understands anyone who has canceled plans to bring their horses down here, though the shows may still go on in the winter.

[Midge]

Excellent news, just me. Did he have any indication on a timeline for more information?

[Sherry]

Thanks for posting some FACTUAL information, JustMe. This Bulletin Board is a huge rumor mill right now.

Remember people....there can be major legal problems for you if you post something here that can't be backed up by FACTS. "I heard it from xxxx who heard it from xxxx, etc" does not constitute truth or fact. "Your" statement here can cause huge $$$$ problems for the WEF, Littlewood, and/or HITS shows as well as any barns "you" claim are under "lockdown" or quarentine. Be careful what you say here if you can't back it up with an official statement.

Sherry

FREE THE AEFVUE TWO!

[just_me]

Excellent news, just me. Did he have any indication on a timeline for more information?
The only timeline he mentioned was that they'd know tomorrow what the two dead horses had. I believe he said they were both euthanized.

I did ask if they'd put out some kind of press release as they got more info, but for the life of me I can't remember his answer. I guess I'm suffering from CRS. :lol: I took notes as he spoke, but I missed that one.

[Coreene]

That is terrible that the show for this weekend had to be cancelled, which pretty much confirms it was indeed equine and not human in nature.
Harry, I have not read the entire thread - and am saddened about the horses :cry: - but I just wanted to let you know that this and your prior post had me in stitches. :lol:

[tic-tac]

could this even continue into WEF season...that would be horrible.

[DMK]

How would vaccination cause a mutation?

Isn't that how disease evolves? Every DNA strand carries X amount of by and large harmless mutations that might not ever realize their potential until something makes that random mutation useful/beneficial to the host?

In this case isn't there something about the genetic mutation of this iteration of EHV-1 that helped it get a foothold even in a vaccinated horse, whereas maybe in a EHV-1 vaccine free world that particular mutation has no need (in the words of Spock) to "live long and prosper" because the non-mutated form of the virus can be the dominant form of the disease?

If that's the case, I guess a vaccination wasn't the direct cause, but didn't it create a favorable environment? On the other hand, I have absolutely ZERO idea how vaccines work at the genetic level, so if a geneticist came on and said vaccines can turn you into a mutant pod monster, I might have to believe him....

[tic-tac]

There is a very informative interview with Vet.Kimberly Snyder on phelpssports.

[Meadow36]

I am about 15 minutes from the showgrounds. I have an appointment at 1:30 tomorrow with my vet to get a rhino booster. I will pick his brain then and post any relevant info when I get it. My vet is a very straightforward person and will not sugar coat anything. He is also one of those people who gets very involved in things like this, so I'm sure he's already been in contact with the vets that have been treating the affected horses.

[Silver Bells]

Tomorrow the definitive answers and facts everyone is searching for will be available and made public. All eyes are watching south Florida right now. As Sherry mentioned the economic impact could be devistating...
Let's hope for the best! :yes:

[hackinaround]

I think even more so than just SW FL I am a little concerned about where and how this pony got to Fl. He came into Quarntine in NY was he with other horses..where did they all ship too. When he trailered to FL was it a comercial rig or private and how many horses did he travel with.

It is just as worrisome to me that he was on the show grounds but that he travled down the East coast and was in close contact with how many animals that have gone on to how many diffrent places.

Certainly not freaking out just concerned

[just_me]

There is a very informative interview with Vet.Kimberly Snyder on phelpssports.
I don't have access. What kind of info was in the article?

[tic-tac]

She just mentioned the whole scenario up front, without any of the rumours that have been circulating.
She also said that the best thing people can do right now is to be calm and make sure your checking your horses often and that their not in close contact with horses from other barns.
She also mentioned that it was really important not to be shipping horses back and for in the Wellington aread until everything is more clear.

[Molly Sorge]

Just alerting all of you that we just posted a piece in the 'Breaking News' section of the Chronicle's website with a run-down of the situation in Wellington, including an interview with Joe Norick, whose pony was the intitial one infected... We'll continue to report on the situation as it continues to develop.

[BLBGP]

Thanks Molly!

[Rockfish]

All horses imported must do the mandatory USDA quarantine. As far as I know, you can do this in Newburgh, NY; Miami, FL and Los Angeles, CA. There was an import barn in Atlanta, GA (I believe), but I think it closed.

After the mandatory USDA quarantine, mares and stallions must do an additional CEM quarantine at an approved CEM quarantine station, and these are located across the US.

Dana


Do they sometimes quartentine before the get on their flight from the original country? I've known a few people who imported and got the horse pretty darn quickly, but I always assumed they did quarentine on the other end. It's be a scary thought if no quarentine happened at all:eek:

[YoungFilly]

Thanks Molly! I actually just subsribed to the magazine so I could get the alerts! :winkgrin:

[Meadow36]

Just wanted to say that the local news on NBC just had a report about the outbreak; according to the news, 4 horses died and three stables in grand prix village are in lock down. This seems to be a conflict of info from the source that just me spoke with.

[Rockfish]

Voluntary quarantines work for some (like myself) but not for many. A barn last year had strangles and they kept on showing thinking if they left the sick ones at home they were fine..... (waterbuckets were shared by sick and well ones, too) :eek:

One of my horses got strangles, the other bastard strangles and the other 2 were fine. I was so incredibly anal about quarantining my barn, germs, etc. Thankfully it was only a huge bite out of the pocketbook and my horse beat the odds and is alive! :)

that's scary. My barn held a show where other horses from a barn with strangles came, yet when I alerted the BO, she said there was nothing to worry about. I was a little perturbed to say the least. Sorry if that was off topic.

[Oakleigh]

Plagues are always spread by infected, but not yet ill, people fleeing the disease. If I were the government, I'd figure out some area parameters around Wellington, and not let anyone ship in or out. I'm not sure I wouldn't quarantine the whole state.

If Ocala is in the plague area, I wouldn't try to ship a horse out. It could spread the infection to the Middle West.

Try and act responsibly for the best interests of the whole horse community and not selfishly.

Vineyridge, Ocala is at least 5 hours northwest of Wellington. This is a long skinny state. I seriously doubt that there is a problem with any horse shipping out of Ocala. However, I would make sure to choose a van-line that thoroughly disinfects their van after each trip. I would also choose a van-line that originates in Ocala, not one that is coming up from Miami.

Hope this helps. This is a very serious medical threat to horses.

Oakleigh

[little miss]

We are in GPV and are taking temps 2x day. The vets said one sign would be a quick high spike temp. There are so many rumors going around -- I also just saw the local channel 5 news report. And with the weather today, it's just given everyone the time to talk about it (5+inches!!). I think one thing to keep in mind about this weekends cancelled AGA show is that the entry numbers were already low - so it probably was not a difficult or an economically bad decision for them to make either.

[Meadow36]

We are in GPV and are taking temps 2x day. The vets said one sign would be a quick high spike temp. There are so many rumors going around -- I also just saw the local channel 5 news report. And with the weather today, it's just given everyone the time to talk about it (5+inches!!). I think one thing to keep in mind about this weekends cancelled AGA show is that the entry numbers were already low - so it probably was not a difficult or an economically bad decision for them to make either.

Plus this rain is worse than the last two hurricanes, which may have had something to do with the cancellation.

[Eventingjunkie]

I have three different vets, and they all recommend the internasal vaccine as being more effective for nuerological herpes.

[Ghazzu]

Isn't that how disease evolves? Every DNA strand carries X amount of by and large harmless mutations that might not ever realize their potential until something makes that random mutation useful/beneficial to the host?



As you say, certainly a mutated virus could infect an animal vaccinated for the older strain of a given pathogen.
However, vaccination did not *cause* the mutation.

[cartera45]

Isn't that how disease evolves? Every DNA strand carries X amount of by and large harmless mutations that might not ever realize their potential until something makes that random mutation useful/beneficial to the host?

In this case isn't there something about the genetic mutation of this iteration of EHV-1 that helped it get a foothold even in a vaccinated horse, whereas maybe in a EHV-1 vaccine free world that particular mutation has no need (in the words of Spock) to "live long and prosper" because the non-mutated form of the virus can be the dominant form of the disease?

If that's the case, I guess a vaccination wasn't the direct cause, but didn't it create a favorable environment? On the other hand, I have absolutely ZERO idea how vaccines work at the genetic level, so if a geneticist came on and said vaccines can turn you into a mutant pod monster, I might have to believe him....

I can't remember the details about why some people thought vaccinating could have something to do with the neurological form, but I remember hearing the word "refractoriness." Sounds like a Stephen Colbert word, but doesn't it have something to do with the vaccine possible making the horse more susceptible to the new strain. Saying it caused a mutation was a poor choice of words on my part.

[DMK]

Refractoriness? Stephen would be impressed! :D I don't even know what it means and I's impressed! ;)

For people wondering about the quarantine issue, read up on some of the links. The course the disease takes a perfectly good quarantine system and neatly evades it. It sounds like there are 3 stages to the disease - cold like symptoms which may or may not be all that apparent, recession of all symptoms followed by the full blown neuroligical symptoms (all over maybe 2+ weeks?). It's easy to see how even competent, alert-to-the-issue professionals (vets and otherwise) could miss a case in quarantine or shipping.

[thebrit]

this link to the florida department of agriculture might help make the current status a little clearer:

http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/Announcements/20061214EquineVirus1.shtml

[ExJumper]

This is frightening. I guess all anyone can do is hang in there and be smart.

I just got the call from my barn, which is in Ocala (my horse is there too :(). They said they just shut down all horse crossings on the FL border as of tonight.
I'm just praying it stays contained to the affected areas, and doesn't continue to spread.

Anyone know which farms in GP Village have the infected horses? I haven't gotten a chance to talk to anyone in WPB yet, and I can't seem to get any sort of news source.

As per thebrit's post, they have not closed down the boarder to horse transport.

Thus far, 2 horses have been euthanized and other animals have had clinical signs. Two quarantines have been placed while state and federal officials are investigating the cause of the disease and working with affected industry to prevent further spread of the disease.

No other state or federal restrictions have been placed on horse movements into, within, or out of Florida.

[findlymine]

thanks for the info!!!!!!!

[tic-tac]

FICTION; are u sure they've closed everything? So ther is no way of any horse getting into any parts of fl now??
i NEED to know

[Silly Mommy]

I called HITS show office today. The woman who answered had no idea what I was talking about - so I educated her and warned her that more crazy people would be calling;) .

Rumors tend to be fictional.:cool:

[YoungFilly]

Check DressageDaily if you think this is a rumor. Its not.

My question, seriously. I imported a horse who had to go though a whole battery of tests in order to get out of quarintine. Is this not one of the blood tests?

Also, we are going to have a whole bunch of winter boarders come to our barn in the next week or so. Is there a shot for this? Its not included in the fall shots right?

[steelerino]

I live in Loxahatchee which is a stones throw from Welli-World and according to my vet yes they have postponed the AGA show, but they feel the sickness is hopefully isolated and any barn that has went under quarantine did it voluntarily. No mandatory county wide quarantine or anything like that has occured. But I had my horses vax boostered as a precaution. it could be transmitted by a large horse sneeze up to 35 feet.

[just_me]

Check DressageDaily if you think this is a rumor. Its not.
The disease is a fact, but people going around saying that the borders are closed and horses can't travel around or in or out of the state IS A RUMOR that does nothing but panic people.

Come on people. Stop, take a breath, and relax. Don't panic. Read the updates on COTH's breaking news or the FL Dept of Agriculture website.

[Zipperoo]

I'm down here in Wellington now. this morning I was in complete panic freak out crying like a baby worried mode. After speaking with multiple vets and hearing the entire story (as was given by a poster just a few above this one), it sounds like people are so freaked that most are doing a self-imposed quarantine and I'm hopeful things will slow down. No new news was reported of new cases as far as I know today. My horses live across the street from the clinic where the one horse died so I was in ultra panic mode. We were even going to install plastic covers on the barn windows (which our vets told us wouldn't do any good as the virus can't travel that far by wind. however, we are being ULTRA careful and not riding near the road for fear of anyone not staying on their own property. The biggest fear for me was that an infected (but not actively sick) horse was brought to the National Horse Show. However, with an incubation period of approximately 10-14 days, we are getting close to being somewhat in the clear. Keep your fingers crossed for us down here! ****If you are in Wellington, there is a meeting this Saturday at the Jockey Club (VIP Tent) at 10 a.m. There will be a USDA vet there to discuss the situation and answer any questions. I encourage anyone and everyone in the area to attend.

[Avra]

None of the vaccines have been proven effective. There's some evidence that the live vaccine (Rhinomune) may prevent the neurological symptoms from developing in horses that were vaccinated correctly prior to exposure. It is only effective for 90 days.
This is the vaccine:
http://www.pfizerah.com/product_overview.asp?drug=RH&country=US&lang=EN&species=EQ

There are also a flu/rhino vaccines that contain the killed virus, but AFAIK there is no reason to think they are at all effective against EHV-1.

[Mirakel]

There is an RMI show in Gainesville this weekend, and I was just informed that some bigger barns won't be showing because of an "outbreak" in Ocala. Don't quote me on this, the barns may just be playing it safe and outbreak may mean a horse fell ill and they think it may be related.

[Cooper]

does anyone have details on where the CA horse shipped to?

[Peggy]

does anyone have details on where the CA horse shipped to?
Buellton (sp?), according to Breaking News on the COTH site. You know, the pea soup place.

[pet's mom]

i got the email yesterday about this virus and my stomach turned. i lost my treasured eventing mare (who was bred trained and evented by the farm owner where we board) last year to this virus after it was transported from pimlico to our eventing barn here in maryland.

after the loss of two beloved horses at my trainers barn and six other horses who showed a variety of symptoms (snotty noses, temps, neurological symptoms), spending over a month and a half in quarantine (21 days from the last symptom) the disease aspect was over. from personal experience and in watching the affects of what happened at the barn over this last year, we are still in process of rebuilding the afflicted horses and dealing with the wreckage of this devastating illness.

we were in a panic mode for about a month and a half, there was a lot of discussion on this bb about further action, some of which has begun to move forward. there was a lot of information that was generated by the outbreak in md and i hope that those afflicted by this outbreak will take full advantage of that information. there were lots of different things that different individuals were interested in from our outbreak, the science (we sent blood samples, tissues...to those studying) we tried to make contact with legislatures about what steps to take when an outbreak occurs. there is no doubt there is a lot at stake and a lot to think about. i think that the borders were shut down to transporting horses here in maryland for almost 3 weeks as a result of our outbreak and remember it started in the racing world here (or that is where we tracked it to), but it moved.

i just wanted to post here to let all those afflicted by this awful virus that i have prayers up for you and hope that this will come to an end quickly without additional loss. my heartfelt condolence to those who have lost their pets and competition horses, i am so so sorry.

my final comment is that when it all came down, the only real prevention measure that i know is lack of contact. the science on this disease continues to change (that from the drs...not from me), it moves through many different forms. if you are concerned about the virus, impose your own quarantine both in and out of your barn, until it passes. you should also know that all the horses at our barn were vaccinated (and were current). from everyone i spoke to (and there were many across the country), there is no effective vaccination for the neuro from of EHV-1. also, important to note is the stress level of your horse ...shipping/ transport may make more suseptible (which many suspect is why so much presence in racing). but again, we collected lots of information, none of which made a bit of difference once it was in the barn...

if you have symptoms, you have probably been infected 10-14 days prior, which is why it is so hard to protect against the disease....

i know it is out there, i know what it does and i respect it. if we had the moment to take back, perhaps we would have done things differently and continued to have healthy happy barn, but once it comes, it devastates.

again, my thoughts and prayers and good thoughts are with you all who are now dealing with this....

[horsekpr]

I worked at a barn that had an outbreak about 5 years ago ,and we lost 3 horses. It was probably one of the most frightening things I have eve experienced. As Pet'smom said ,the only thing you can do is quarentine in a very stringent manner.By the time you realize you have this thing it is too late.If you are in the practice of taking daily temps,you might catch the earliest symptoms and be able to start quarentine before it goes too far ,but by the time you see the symptoms the exposure has happened ,and those who are going to get sick are going to get sick,kind of like the flu.There is no vaccine for the neurological form of Rhino .The only way to identify it in bloodwork is if the blood is tested at the time the horse is running the fever.When our barn had it ,it took quite a few trys at blood testing before the virus was confirmed.Mostly they diagnois it by the symptoms.
My prayers are with all the folks going through this.I hope that one day they will find a vaccine for it.It is really ,really scarey,and made me think how effective biological warfare would be as a terrorist tool.

[Silver Bells]

ANY UPDATES???? :confused:

[Jest]

Wellington needs to add some Xanax to the water supply.

I have never seen so many uninformed, bad information being spread, rumors, inuendo and the like.....oh wait this is Welly World during season.

Google is your friend.

Since this whole thing starting spreading through the cell phone mafia about 2 days ago the numbers of horses infected and dead have gone from 2 to 4 to 6 to 10. Its absolutely outrageous.

While the reality is that this is a very serious contageous disease in horses, the other reality is to get yourself informed. This is a management issue. All of those effected have gone above and beyond in containment and all the correct athorities are involved.

Thankfully someone or something far wiser than us sent us over 5 inches of rain yesterday which forced everybody to just stay put. Staying put is the key.

One of the Drs. from the clinic here is having an early Christmas by running all over dispensing over 2000 doses of the vaccine at $25 a pop plus trip charge. Hello.....People. This is a neurologic strain of which there is no vaccine. From the experiences of Finley and Maryland and CSU the thought is that this strain may have mutated which viruses have the ability to do when immunities are strong against them. Just like the human strain of the flu. Not to mention that it is like closing the barn door after the horse has left.

I had a very uncomfortable experience yesterday when a pony enroute from BFE was turned away by a friend of mine who was to receive it(not even in Wellington). I took the pony and treated it just as I would any other post shipping. I separated it and kept an eye on it to make sure it wasn't stressed from the trip. Now the owner and myself are not allowed to step foot on her property. Thats fine.

I made a point to the barn owner that if she were to truly institute a self imposed quarantine...to not allow any feed/shavings trucks on her property. Also to not go to any tack shops or restaurants in Wellington. Not allow any people from Wellington on her property....and for gawds sakes to not cross 441. Thats how ridiculous some people are behaving.

My advice to anyone would be to just keep your animals at home (which will not be hard considering the water everywhere). Take a deep breath. Get informed. Stop using the cell phone and spreading bad information. The borders have never been closed. Besides they wouldn't be closed coming in anyway....they would be closed for animals leaving if anything. Practice good management. DO NOT PANIC!

I just heard from Victor Connor that Saturday at PBI they are having an informative talk about this situation. They will discuss what is happing, how many are involved, and correct procedures and management. Hopefully many people will attend......or on the other hand maybe I won't go in fear of being contaminated by one of those Welly people.

[War Admiral]

There is a very informative interview with Vet.Kimberly Snyder on phelpssports.

Dear God. So our wonderful friends at Phelps are actually CHARGING people $80 to view an article having immediate impact on the health and welfare of horses on the WEF show grounds??!!!

:eek: :lol: :rolleyes:

[Silver Bells]

Ya gotta love it War Admiral.... I'm not sure Phelps does anything for free! :eek:

http://horsesdaily.com/news/health/2006/eav/index.html

[DMK]

Dear God. So our wonderful friends at Phelps are actually CHARGING people $80 to view an article having immediate impact on the health and welfare of horses on the WEF show grounds??!!!

:eek: :lol: :rolleyes:

Yes, but you will note all The Horse articles (aslo a subscription based magazine) are ... free over there. Class tells, eh?

Anyway, here's betting everything said in the phelps site has already been said over at The Horse, only quite possibly with better editing and grammar and maybe even a wee bit more technical detail and accuracy.

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=8424

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=7000

[Duffy]

:D ;)

(Not making light of the subject matter at all, only the most recent few posts.)

[romanschief]

For all your reading pleasure.

By Kelly Wolfe (kelly_wolfe@pbpost.com)
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 15, 2006
WELLINGTON — A federally-dispatched veterinarian is answering questions at a town hall meeting tomorrow. A holiday horse show with a $100,000 prize was canceled. And horses, sick or not, are on lockdown.
The Wellington equestrian community held its breath Thursday, awaiting blood tests that will determine if a horse put down Sunday was infected with the highly contagious equine herpes virus.
Equestrian & polo seasonEverything you need to know (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/events/content/entertainment/events/guides/horses.html) about the National Horse Show, Winter Equestrian Festival and polo season.
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"Everything is a big question mark at the moment," said Lauren Hough, a top-ranked rider. "I think the veterinarians in Wellington and the state of Florida are reacting as best as possible with so little information. The bad thing is that there are a lot of horses in one place. The good thing is that there are a lot of knowledgeable veterinarians in Wellington."
This is the time of year when thousands of horses from all over the world converge on the village's south side in preparation for the Winter Equestrian Festival, which begins in January and ends in April.
Stadium Jumping Inc., producers of the National Horse Show and Winter Equestrian Festival, canceled its annual invitation-only Christmas Festival Horse Show this weekend to keep horses from mingling.
About 30 riders were expected to compete Sunday for a $100,000 prize.
"We thought it was best to err on the side of caution," said Mason Phelps Jr., spokesman for Stadium Jumping.
Veterinarian Scott Swerdlin, of Palm Beach Equine, said if the virus did arrive in Wellington, it was isolated in time. Earlier in the week, Swerdlin said he feared he was treating a horse with the virus at Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex. But the horse has improved since then.
"We're quite optimistic the horse may come back negative," Swerdlin said Thursday.
State and local veterinarians confirmed Wednesday they tested several horses housed in a Wellington barn for the highly contagious airborne virus.
The first horse that appeared sick came from New York. That horse is improving, Swerdlin said. The horse that died was Cosequin's CEO, owned and ridden by Debbie Stephens.
The equestrian community, meanwhile, swung into disaster mode.
Vets encouraged people to vaccinate horses. Barns went on voluntary quarantine, except for the barn where Cosequin's CEO died. That barn is on a state-mandated quarantine. Equestrians are exchanging information on online message boards. Industry workers were told to use more caution than usual.
The virus is passed through the air, mostly by giant horse sneezes. It can also be carried on shoes or buckets, but that's rare, veterinarians said. The virus is not passed from horses to humans.
The virus causes flu-like symptoms, such as respiratory infections and high fevers. In some cases, neurological disorders happen, causing the horse to be put down. Pregnant horses may abort.
U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinarian Julie Gauthier is expected to answer questions about equine herpes at a community meeting tomorrow. The meeting will happen at 10 a.m., in the Jockey Club (the big tent on the International Arena) at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, 14440 Pierson Road in Wellington. It wasn't clear Thursday if the threat of equine herpes virus will affect the horse season here. Everyone agreed it was too soon to tell.


http://www.palmbeachpost.com/custom/nospider/impl/images/adv_header_trans.gif

[Kinsella]

The horse in CA went to a barn in Rancho Santa Fe.

[adhock]

Technically, I believe that barn is in Olivenhain (Encinitas), not RSF, and is on lock down and following all of the correct measures.

[cvl]

Jingling for those horses who may be infected and those who may have come in contact. But looking at the bigger picture, didn't this start with horses who came out of quarantine!? I'm quite concerned about that as well. Are we allowing enough time in quarantine for these viruses, if present, to manifest themselves? Or are our import and quarantine regulations and procedures obsolete?

[spoiledsweet]

I think deeming our quarantine procedures obsolete seems a bit hasty. When you think about the sheer number of horses that are imported each year, and the infrequency with which things like this happen, it seems like we must be doing OK. Just a thought.

[Duffy]

I guess that 10am meeting is still going, or we'd have heard an update from someone who attended?

[ctjumpers]

Bumping this back to the top for any updates??

[War Admiral]

I guess that 10am meeting is still going, or we'd have heard an update from someone who attended?

The meeting's not until tomorrow, Duff. ;)

[DMK]

Jingling for those horses who may be infected and those who may have come in contact. But looking at the bigger picture, didn't this start with horses who came out of quarantine!? I'm quite concerned about that as well. Are we allowing enough time in quarantine for these viruses, if present, to manifest themselves? Or are our import and quarantine regulations and procedures obsolete?

Read up on the course this disease takes and how hard it is to diagnose until it's rather late in the game and then ask about quarantine protocols.

This is parsed from one article:

Horses infected with EHV-1 often present with a fever that may spike to 102 –106ºF. The fever is generally biphasic meaning that there will be a fever during the first 1-3 days after infection, which resolves and is followed by a second fever spike at 5-8 days after infection. ... The interval between initial EHV-1 infection of the respiratory tract and the onset of neurological signs is 8 to 12 days. The neurological deficits appear suddenly and reach their peak intensity within 48 hours.

Lots of subclinical periods where people doing their job could reasonably miss symptoms simply because there are none until its too late.

[Duffy]

The meeting's not until tomorrow, Duff. ;)


So much for my reading comprehension! I could have sworn it was today! ;)

[Equilibrium]

contrary to popular belief, I don't know of any EVA breakouts here in the EU recently so it's not running rampant around here. What I would like to know is where the pony that started the whole thing originally came from. Does anyone know? Now horses originating from non-Eu countries, that is a diffrent kettle of fish as I wouldn't trust any one of them. As someone who had to deal with the swamp fever debacle this summer, it was in my area, I was completely freaked out so I understand the panic. Turns out the plasma used to treat the horse that started the whole mess, came from a mare in a slaughter yard in Italy from a non EU country. At least your Ag department is on top of it. Our outbreak was happening right under out nose and no one knew anything for a month. Of course over here I have noticed a problem with getting to the bottom of any horses dying or very sick ones. At 2,000 euro per autopsy, people don't want the hassle. Any time a horse dies the government should be funding the necropsy, well when you don't know why. Because we are an Island the old head in the sand routine is the applied policy over here. Oh and when they were doing testing of all horses in the outbreak area, me included, the Ag vet said that sometimes they just couldn't catch some horses so they didn't get tested. Well isn't that just wonderful. What a way to stop the spread of disease. This all started because he couldn't believe how well handled the foals were. When I quizzed him about the horses that couldn't be caught, it was like what can we do? That's Ireland for you. Most horses are treated like cattle. And you guys wonder why Irish Sport horses are so lovely to be around, it's because when they go to America they can't believe how good they have it!!!!!

Does anyone know Wendy Aratz down in Wellington. I sold her a filly about 2 years ago and am hoping she's o.k.
Thanks
Terri

[Miss C]

Has anyone heard if there is confirmation as to where the index case picked the virus up? My mother's new horse is due to fly into NY tomorrow from Ireland, to be quarantined before coming south. Obviously, Florida is being closely monitored but I haven't seen anything about New York. She's calling the facility now, but I also wanted to see if there have been any other news reports focusing on the NY facility.

[JustJump]

<<Wellington needs to add some Xanax to the water supply.>>

:lol: :eek: :lol: :eek: :lol::eek: :lol: :eek: :lol: :eek: :lol: :eek:

[DMK]

As someone who had to deal with the swamp fever debacle this summer, it was in my area, I was completely freaked out so I understand the panic.

Swamp fever as in EIA? It's funny how we are all used to certain things. While nobody in the southern US dismisses EIA, we are all fairly comfortable (especially in south Florida) with the idea that a certain number of horses will be infected per year and that it's not easy to transmit from horse to horse. In fact there used to be a quarantined farm where EIA positive horses could be taken to instead of destroyed, and it was within 10 miles of many major horse areas, inlcuding a major racetrack.

It's what you get used to, I guess...

[carovet]

contrary to popular belief, I don't know of any EVA breakouts here in the EU recently
Thanks
Terri


This is not the same thing as EVA (equine viral arteritis) it is equine herpes virus type 1, otherwise known as rhino.
;)

[YoungFilly]

All, my barn got word from contacts in wellington that it is the Rihno Virus. We also heard that the state is not allowing horses to come into the state. This came from an extrememly reliable source.

Florida is very good about having horse trailers stop when entering and exiting the state so thats good news.

Here is a link to thehorse.com to also add more info.

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=8423&kw=Rhino


December 14 2006 Article # 8423





On Saturday, December 16, USDA Government Veterinarian, Dr. Julie Gauthier, will meet with equestrians, community members, and members of the media to discuss the equine rhinopneumonitis. The disease, also known as equine herpesvirus or EHV, is a highly infectious viral disease that may be affecting the Wellington community. Early reports indicate that this disease might be the root cause of the recent outbreak in the area.

[Melyni]

Has anyone heard if there is confirmation as to where the index case picked the virus up? My mother's new horse is due to fly into NY tomorrow from Ireland, to be quarantined before coming south. Obviously, Florida is being closely monitored but I haven't seen anything about New York. She's calling the facility now, but I also wanted to see if there have been any other news reports focusing on the NY facility.

I don't think anyone is saying that the horses are picking it up in the Newburg facility. There are so many horses that come through there that if that was the index site then we would have far more horses coming down with it all over the country.

The one imported pony who had it, might have had before he got here or might have picked it after he got here, he was here long enough for it to have bee after he arrived.
Plus one of the other horses had been here a good long time, way longer that it would have taken to incubate if he had picked it up in Newburg.

It is possible that it came from one of the trucks used to ship the horses out of Newburg. Remember they have been dealing with it in Maryland all summer, and just recently had racehorses with in it New Jersey and Kentucky.

It is worrying though, Is there an actual report of a horse in Ocala with it or is that just a rumor?
MW

[DMK]

youngfilly, I find it exceptionally hard to believe that transportation would be stopped at the ag stations without considerable advance warning and planning, not to mention it would be plastered all over multiple locations and might possibly involve a governor's order. I mean 2 cases in Wellie World does not exactly justify stopping the billion dollar business that is Florida TB racing and breeding. No offense but Wellie world is not exactly the big fish in the state.

It strains credulity to think that vans will be arriving at the I-75 station as we speak and just told to turn around. And for what reason would that be? (Not to mention the turning around part would involve some sort of highly convoluted police escort because it's not like there is an exit right there).

[YoungFilly]

DMK, I am just reporting what I heard from someone who can't ship thier horse out of the state, from Wellington. Their horse was supposed to be leaving today, and it can't go. I would agree with you though, that this would be getting some major attention from the real media if this was the case. :confused:

[Melyni]

DMK, I am just reporting what I heard from someone who can't ship thier horse out of the state, from Wellington. Their horse was supposed to be leaving today, and it can't go. I would agree with you though, that this would be getting some major attention from the real media if this was the case. :confused:

I called APHIS in Fl. The border is not closed, they are allowing horses in and out of the state, but they are asking people NOT to ship horses to Wellington until they have a better handle on it.

I also had horses due to ship down today, and we are holding off until we know better what is going on.

So the official line is that the border is not closed, but they are asking folks to wait for a bit before they ship in.
MW

[Silly Mommy]

YF-

You are kidding, right?

Originally Posted by YoungFilly
DMK, I am just reporting what I heard from someone who can't ship thier horse out of the state, from Wellington. Their horse was supposed to be leaving today, and it can't go. I would agree with you though, that this would be getting some major attention from the real media if this was the case.

Someone can't ship out from a "self" quarantined area - go figure...

[Miss C]

Thanks, Melyni. My mother was able to reach the folks in the NY facility. They were certainly aware of the situation in Florida, but they have no signs of anything there, they are staying open, and said basically if any horse has even a slight temp they don't let it leave quarantine.

[YoungFilly]

YF-

You are kidding, right?

Originally Posted by YoungFilly
DMK, I am just reporting what I heard from someone who can't ship thier horse out of the state, from Wellington. Their horse was supposed to be leaving today, and it can't go. I would agree with you though, that this would be getting some major attention from the real media if this was the case.

Someone can't ship out from a "self" quarantined area - go figure...

Kidding? No I wasn't kidding. But after I thought about it myself, I agreed that this couldn't be true.

Thanks, Melyni, also.

They way it was told to me was that you couldn't ship in our out of the state. Not the self imposed quarintine.

[Jest]

Its posts like these that prove that there is so much bad information out there. People from all over Wellington have said that the borders are closed, that a bunch of horses are dead, any number of stories have been passed around.

Now I see that along with the Phelps media releases we have a company being advertised right next to the story. If there is money to made from a bad situation rest assured that somehow, some way, someone will make money.

[Ride On]

The barn I am in for the winter has a CEM barn. We had a mare that was on the plane with the horses that had tested positive for the virus. So far no horses have become ill at our barn.

I am temping my horse daily and hoping for the best. The mare came in 2weeks ago and left the beginning of the week. She did show signs of temperature and stocking up but it was thought to be shipping fever. She recovered fine. Whether it was EHV remains to be seen.

[Midge]

<<Wellington needs to add some Xanax to the water supply.>>

:lol: :eek: :lol: :eek: :lol::eek: :lol: :eek: :lol: :eek: :lol: :eek:


Sure it does, but that has nothing to do with the Equine herpes outbreak!!! :D

[Midge]

It is worrying though, Is there an actual report of a horse in Ocala with it or is that just a rumor?
MW

There was a horse that died in Ocala but right now, it is believed to have been a colic death.

[Risey27]

Ha...about the advertising thing on Phelps Media...I started laughing...."basically it claims to kill germs" but you can just use "bleach" lol....also it says in the article "availabe while supplies last" ahhhh anyways there are "other" disinfectints (SP) out there...here is the link to it (others will probably get a kick)

http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/viewarticle.php?id=2288

[hackinaround]

So Im kind of foggy. I had horses at the National they got reboostered today just to be safe. Have they or have they not confirmed that it was EHV-1 yet??:confused:

[Chanter]

Although quite frankly bleach is much cheaper to be washing ones horse trailer & barn down with, I would not totally laugh off this product http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/viewarticle.php?id=2288 Depending upon the strength involved, silver does some pretty amazing stuff. You do know they use silver creme/ointment on burn victums don't you. And yes, they really are using silver more & more as a "counter top" wash in hospitals. I know of hospitals abroad (India) that make their own for this very (washing) purpose.

[dudders]

Forgive me if this has already been posted, but lots of new info here: www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=8435

[Ghazzu]

Probably the most reliable source of information regarding any quarantine issues will be found here, at the Florida Department of Ag site:

http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/Announcements/20061214EquineVirus1.shtml

[YoungFilly]

Its posts like these that prove that there is so much bad information out there. People from all over Wellington have said that the borders are closed, that a bunch of horses are dead, any number of stories have been passed around.

Now I see that along with the Phelps media releases we have a company being advertised right next to the story. If there is money to made from a bad situation rest assured that somehow, some way, someone will make money.


I'm sorry Jest, I was just providing the info that I heard from people in the know. Maybe they are feeling a bit hysterical. I know that I would be. Please believe I did not post that with any intent of rumor milling, it is a source that can be trusted.

[annikak]

Forgive me if this has already been posted, but lots of new info here: www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=8435 (http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=8435)Z

Well done, Dudders, and many thanks to you.
Scary- very scary .... Poor horses and owners.

[GingerCookie]

here is a link to a site with more info. There is a video if you scroll down- it is not for those who are easily upset

http://www.ca.uky.edu/gluck/BiblioEHV1.asp

[KellyS]

Forgive me if this has already been posted, but lots of new info here: www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=8435 (http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=8435)

Of the 15 horses that were quarantined in NY, 5 were shipped to Florida (of which 2 are sick) and the other one is the horse that died in CA--any word on where the other 9 ended up?

[DMK]

Like that article (posted just a few hours ago) said - they sure are looking for them...

[YoungFilly]

GingerCookie, I can't stand that video. Please please pull it. Now you did put me hysterics.

[KellyS]

Like that article (posted just a few hours ago) said - they sure are looking for them...

Believe me, I don't doubt that. Just heard from a friend that the farm where she's at has a horse that came from Newburg a week ago. Needless to say, they are concerned and anxious to know what horses were/could be affected.

[Ghazzu]

GingerCookie, I can't stand that video. Please please pull it. Now you did put me hysterics.

Oh, for pete's sake.
Don't watch it if it bothers you.
Other people may find the site informative.

[just_me]

Like that article (posted just a few hours ago) said - they sure are looking for them...
That article also stated that three horses died in Florida from the virus. Last I heard, it was only two. Did another horse die, or is the article incorrect?

[YoungFilly]

Oh, for pete's sake.
Don't watch it if it bothers you.
Other people may find the site informative.

Gazzu. Please. It is informative. But I can picture my mares in the same dilemma. How much do you feel towards your horses?

Keep the video up, don't mind my first reaction.

[La Gringa]

That article also stated that three horses died in Florida from the virus. Last I heard, it was only two. Did another horse die, or is the article incorrect?
I have heard it's now 4 dead. One is Debbie Stephen's horse. Cosequin's EFO.

This is scary stuff.

[just_me]

I have heard it's now 4 dead. One is Debbie Stephen's horse. Cosequin's EFO.

This is scary stuff.
Where did you hear four? Dept. of Ag. is still saying two in florida and one in California. There are a couple others showing symptoms.

[Dawn]

just_me,

It was stated that there were 4 horses in the article previously posted from TheHorse.com. Here it is again:

http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=8435

[onthebit]

I have heard it's now 4 dead. One is Debbie Stephen's horse. Cosequin's EFO.

This is scary stuff.

I think the name is actually Cosequin's CEO. I did read in a press release that CEO has died.

[just_me]

just_me,

It was stated that there were 4 horses in the article previously posted from TheHorse.com. Here it is again:

http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=8435

The article stated three died in Florida. I'm questioning whether that's the correct figure or not.

[Dawn]

The article stated three died in Florida. I'm questioning whether that's the correct figure or not.

Yes, 3 in Florida and 1 in California. All connected to the same outbreak.

I would be surprised if The Horse magazine didn't have it's facts straight, since they are considered a veterinary-focused publication.

-

[SBT]

The video is sad, but it's not THAT bad. :no: FWIW, I've seen similar incidents in person, with a couple of VERY old horses who went down for a nap, got stiff/lost circulation in their hind legs, and couldn't get up right away...also with an old Cushingoid pony whose inability to rise was very similar to the horse in the video, and with a horse who developed meningitis secondary to a puncture wound in his neck (THAT one was weird).

I wonder what symptoms set neuro. EHV-1 apart from other diseases with neurological manifestations, like EPM, West Nile, meningitis, and tumors of the brain/spinal cord? How would you know it was EHV-1 and not one of the other suspects?

[just_me]

Yes, 3 in Florida and 1 in California. All connected to the same outbreak.

I would be surprised if The Horse magazine didn't have it's facts straight, since they are considered a veterinary-focused publication.

-
I wonder when the third horse died. The press release from the state also dated 12/15, on The Horse site, states two.

[Zipperoo]

More to come after tomorrow's meeting. But at this point, I know of 2 in FL and one that is unconfirmed as dying from this disease (a friend of mine is involved so I know this one for fact). It was on the same shipment but it hasn't been ruled as being from the Herpes Virus yet since it had more of the pneumonia style symptoms and wasn't considered anything but that until the whole outbreak news hit. They are doing the autopsy and should know for sure in the next day or so. That would make three. I know of one pony that is still at the clinic. We'll make sure to report back after the meeting tomorrow for anyone who cannot attend with REAL information.

[cartera45]

Yes, 3 in Florida and 1 in California. All connected to the same outbreak.

I would be surprised if The Horse magazine didn't have it's facts straight, since they are considered a veterinary-focused publication.

-

I read that article and just have to ask. When did "euthanitize" and "boostering" become words?

[just_me]

I read that article and just have to ask. When did "euthanitize" and "boostering" become words?
They're not. :lol:

[mroades]

Actually the Horse magazine had a big "thing" about how they are going to use "euthanatize" now as it is more correctly derived from the latin root or something like that.

[Obviously Oblivious]

I wonder what symptoms set neuro. EHV-1 apart from other diseases with neurological manifestations, like EPM, West Nile, meningitis, and tumors of the brain/spinal cord? How would you know it was EHV-1 and not one of the other suspects?

Hence the importance of lab testing! (Though most of the time, EPM for example, will not have as sudden an onset. I don't think meningitis has been reported much in horses. WNV is seasonal during mosquito season. So there may be other clues.)

We had a neuro EHV-1 outbreak here in WI last February (see reports in The Horse), at the barn I used to teach at. 2 horses died and a couple dozen others spiked the bi-phasic fevers. A couple had mild potentially neuro signs and were hospitalized. The barn did a major lockdown, cancelled everything and screened temps 2x daily for MONTHS and the infection did not spread to any other barns. (The barn where my horses are is very close by, on shared trails.) Still, people as far as 100 miles away FREAKED out. They never did figure out definitively where it came from.

This seems like it's going to be 100 times worse than what we dealt with, with all the stuff going on in FL this time of year. :(

[Dawn]

I wonder when the third horse died. The press release from the state also dated 12/15, on The Horse site, states two.

The press release article that says two horses was from earlier today. The article that states 3 horses in Florida is more recent - it was posted tonight. I get their RSS feed, so that's how I found out there was an update.

[just_me]

Actually the Horse magazine had a big "thing" about how they are going to use "euthanatize" now as it is more correctly derived from the latin root or something like that.
I learn something new every day. :D I used google and found articles discussing the usage of the two words. Who knew? :)

[bhrunner06]

a friend told me tonight (she has her horses down there right now) that they are going to make a decision in the next day or so about whether or not to shut down the borders. has anyone else heard this?

[just_me]

a friend told me tonight (she has her horses down there right now) that they are going to make a decision in the next day or so about whether or not to shut down the borders. has anyone else heard this?
No, I haven't.

[Kinsella]

Of the 15 horses that were quarantined in NY, 5 were shipped to Florida (of which 2 are sick) and the other one is the horse that died in CA--any word on where the other 9 ended up?
I know one is at a private facility in TN (not Westwind), and that facility is being kept in quarantine mode. As of earlier today it was showing no symptoms, nor were any of the other horses at that facility.

[SBT]

A couple of things...

First, the NY quarantine facility is in Newburgh, NY, not Newburg.

Second, IIRC, a post-mortem examination done on anything other than a human is a necropsy; necro=dead. The term autopsy is reserved for humans only; auto=self. You are not a horse, therefore you can't perform an autopsy on a horse. You can, however, examine its dead tissue...perform a necropsy. By that logic, I suppose an autopsy is also a necropsy, but when it's on a fellow human it gets a special term. :yes:

And now back to your regularly scheduled thread...

[Cheerful1]

It would be nice to have more information for us out here in California. I'm not far from Encinitas and have eleven horses, one seven months in foal. Does anyone know if there is a problem here as well? It's very frightening. There's a boarding stable nearby and boarders ride by my farm and sniff noses.

My sympathies to all of those dealing with this in Florida and elsewhere.

[JustJump]

<<I wonder what symptoms set neuro. EHV-1 apart from other diseases with neurological manifestations, like EPM, West Nile, meningitis, and tumors of the brain/spinal cord? How would you know it was EHV-1 and not one of the other suspects?>>

Yes, lab tests would be needed to determine which was the cause of symptoms.

But like someone else said, EPM would be more subtle in onset (IIRC, I don't think it is accompanied by fever).

West Nile and EHV-1 would be immediately suspect, but since EHV-1 would have resulted from a contageous contact, one might have already noticed symptoms in other horses, or note that contact with other horses had occured.

West Nile, an insect-borne disease, would occur during mosquito infestations, and strike horses in a general area, but not necessarily at one farm, aside from which, the vaccine is apparently very effective--you can pretty much rule it out if the horse has been vaccinated. If the horse has respiratory symptoms, you can rule out rhino if the horse has been vaccinated, but the neuro symptoms can occur whether or not the horse has been vaccinated.

[horsekpr]

West Nile vaccine is pretty effective,however you can still get the disease even when vaccinated. A pony at our old barn got it ,and was vaccinated ,and did survive. He looked different than the horses at that barn that contracted EV-1, a few years before that ,althoguh that was our first panic ,is that it was that again. Fever much higher with WN ,and weird facial movements and head movements. EV horses paralized in hind end very quickly and once they went down that was pretty much it.WN horse went down initially ,but got back up and was wobbly but could stand and walk.Mostly he just stood and looked unsteady and very very sick.The EV horses that did not become paralized but only ran fever didn't appear all that sick.

[Platinum Equestrian]

Please let us know what information is provided at the meeting today. I know I'm anxiously waiting...

[Meadow36]

Please let us know what information is provided at the meeting today. I know I'm anxiously waiting...

Okay I just came back from the meeting. I didn't take notes so I will try to repeat this from memory....

1. 3 cases confirmed dead in FL. My vet mentioned a fourth horse that died en route to California after leaving here, but that was not mentioned at the meeting. 11 horses total are now showing clinical signs of the disease. A total of 3 barns are now under mandatory state quarantine. They will be for up to 21 days AFTER the last onset of clinical signs (i.e. fever).

2. The original case came from the horse from Europe that was in quarantine in Newburgh, NY. They DO NOT test for this disease in quarantine, and the horse was not showing the clinical signs when it left. That same horse van picked up 3 horses in Huntington, NY then 1 horse in MD and a few others (from I forget where) for a total of 8 horses on that van. ALL of those horses came down with the disease. The horse from MD died. ALL except one of those horses where dropped off at a barn in Palm Beach Point (one of the ones under quarantine).

3. The vaccine should be given every 90 days HOWEVER - it does not prevent your horse from getting the disease. It will, however, reduce the severity of the disease and reduce the amount of shedding. SO - ALL horses are recommended to be vaccinated.

4. ALL of the area in the immediate horse show area (I think it's called South Point) is in a voluntary quarantine, no horses in and out for the next 7 days. HOWEVER - if you take your horse out of that area and the disease spreads YOU CAN face criminal charges.

5. SHIPPING an exposed horse is THE WORST THING you can do for that horse right now. Stress will bring out the neurological signs in a horse and make them sick.

I am going to post this but I'll write more in another post in a few minutes.......

[Meadow36]

Okay -

6. PREVENTION is up to all of us. The disease IS NOT VERY HARDY OUTSIDE THE BODY, and can easily be killed with most disinfectants. ALL grooms, riders, etc. should use hand sanitizer AFTER WORKING WITH EVERY HORSE. NO SHARING OF WATER BUCKETS OR STALLS. Seperate pitchforks and muck buckets should be used for every horse in exposed areas. A foot bath of bleach and water should be outside the barn for people coming in, along with hand sanitizer. Clothes should be changed if you are going from barn to barn (especially to barns outside the immediate affected area). BITS should be sanitized after every use in a 1:10 bleach solution. This disease is airborne up to 35 feet, and can live outside the body on moist surfaces for several hours. YOUR HANDS are the best transmitters. GROOMS need to be educated of sanitary practices. BLACKSMITHS were told to have grooms take temps of horses before shoeing them; if fever they should be extra careful. ALL HORSES SHOULD HAVE TEMPS TAKEN TWICE A DAY. Any fever over 102 degrees should be reported to your vet IMMEDIATELY.

7. The vets from Palm Beach equine feel that this should be contained in the next few weeks and that the show season should be able to go on. He recommends holding off on shipping your horses into the area for the next 7 days. They will know by then if this thing is under control. THE FLORIDA STATE BORDERS ARE NOT CLOSED!!!

8. Udates on the situation will be posted on the Florida Dept of Agriculture website.

I will post more as I remember it; it was a lot of information to absorb at one time.

[Ghazzu]

Gazzu. Please. It is informative. But I can picture my mares in the same dilemma. How much do you feel towards your horses?
.

My tolerance for something that upsets you implies I don't care about my animals ?

Quite a leap, don't you think?

[Home Again Farm]

Many, many thanks for posting this Meadow!!!

[Nancy]

Mdadows 36-thanks for the latest news and precaution tips!!

[ctjumpers]

YES, i read the other posts but people are coming into my store up here in connecticut and are ADAMENT (sp?) that the borders are closed? Is this true? I have a barn up here that 1/2 the horses are over in europe and the other half here in CT and they all normally converge on Wellington for the show season but of course they dont know what to do! The horse transport up here say that everyone is cancelling!

[Equilibrium]

Sorry I meant EVH-1, just added an A by mistake. At the moment I'm working 18 hours a day outside, so don't have time to be politically correct with everything like those who work in an office.

Does anyone know where this pony originated from in Europe or how I could find out because it could be spread quite easily here before anyone will take notice. First we will have the hush hush lets keep it under wraps for now and by that time goodness knows where more horses could have gotten to. I have many ship ins and outs so would like to know where in Europe this pony came from.
Terri

[ponymom64]

Most of the people I have spoken to up here are taking a "wait and see" attitude and those that were planning to ship in the next few days have put those plans on hold for now.

Hopefully, the situation will be brought under control soon and circuit will go on.

[stuge]

I have a quick few questions. How quickly after exposure does a horse become sick? Are they contagious immediately after exposure even if they haven't shown any symptoms? Are they contagious only while they are showing symptoms?

Is it confirmed that the original horse is the one that came from the quarintine facility in NY? Since they are in quarentine for a few weeks, it is pretty unlikely that the horse brought it from Europe, right? I am also wondering why it isn't a possibility that the horse from Europe caught it from one of the other horses on the van if they all are starting to show symptoms around the same time?

[ctjumpers]

YES, i read the other posts but people are coming into my store up here in connecticut and are ADAMENT (sp?) that the borders are closed? Is this true? I have a barn up here that 1/2 the horses are over in europe and the other half here in CT and they all normally converge on Wellington for the show season but of course they dont know what to do! The horse transport up here say that everyone is cancelling!

[Texarkana]

We had a panic up here in Maryland last Dec/Jan when some racehorses came into the Fair Hill training center with possible neurological ehv-1. They brought in experts from the country, vet, and advisors and met with concerned horse owners. I went to the meeting and the gist of it is : don't share water buckets, grooming rags, bits, or anything else that could carry wet saliva/mucous. They felt it wasn't too likely a sneeze on one paddock would result in a horse in another paddock getting sick.

We had people in such a panic they were convinced the whole county had germs. Or the whole 5,200 Fair Hill Natural Resource Area acre park was infected. As it turned out, neither was true.

I remember one person getting so scared, they cautioned others to use alternate routes going up the east coast instead if the usual I-95. Their reasoning whas that the germ could be "in the air" so it wasn't save to enter the whole county.



The quarantine is limited to barns or farms, not counties or states. Driving through Ocala won't give you cooties. :)

EHV-1 is out there in EVERY state. In the few rare cases it turns neurologic it hits the news. Otherwise it's just one of those germs that's out there. The vaccine our vet gives called "rhino" is the vaccine for the same virus. Rhino (rhinopneumonitis) is a bad cold -- something many horses are exposed to normally.

What is not yet clear is how effective if any the vaccination is against the neurological form of the virus. Here is one good web site discussing vaccination and EHV-1 http://www.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/2006/060327.Hope.EHVvacc.html

In busy barns we should already be doing many of these things anyway. We still need to protect against strangles, regular ehv1, and other common germs: disinfect bits or dental tools between horses, disinfect yourself if you're going to one high-turnover barn (eg. racehorse) to another, bring your own bucket to shows, etc. If you're grooming barn-to-barn, ideally you would be disinfecting yourself and tools anyway.

All I can say is that before anyone gets overly worried, let's get all the facts in first.

Oh boy, that was fun, wasn't it, MayS? I was boarding at a farm with direct access to Fair Hill when the training center was quarantined. And let's just say the owner of the farm was very well meaning, but extraordinarily susceptible to the rumors and probably responsible for fueling much of the wildfire!

For example, owner runs into the barn when she first hears the training center was quarantined and says that no one is allowed to turn their horses out because Fair Hill has rhino. *rolls eyes* We luckily talked her out of that one... we compromised with no trail riding in Fair Hill, even though our barn was located on the other side of the road and the furthest end from the training center. But it made the owner feel better.

Then everyone got vaccinated... which cracked me up because half the horses in the barn had never had a flu/rhino vaccination before, including the owners horses. I pointed out to her that it probably wasn't doing much good just to give them the first shot without the booster, but she really didn't seem my point.

If you had listened to the owner of my barn, you would have thought every barn in Maryland had at least one horse either dead from rhino or suspected of rhino. Everyday she had a new story. "I saw so and so at the feed store and she said her farrier said that a client's brother out at *fill in blank with random farm name* had one get sick last week." "I talked to my vet today and she said another one died at Fair Hill today." (For the record, none "died" at Fair Hill-- but you would have thought the horse carcasses were piling up left and right the way the barn owner talked!)

The most hilarious part of the whole incident-- about a two weeks into the whole quarantine at the training center, owner of the farm tells me she has a friend who is going to sell her an OTTB dirt cheap and they're going to bring him up from Bowie that weekend. I pointed out that if she was so scared of bringing EHV to the farm, maybe she *shouldn't* be bringing in potentially exposed racehorses from another training track that has had confirmed cases. She didn't really see my point again... :lol:

All was well, we all survived the incident. We were eventually allowed to trail ride our horses again. :)

[Fiction]

Is it confirmed that the original horse is the one that came from the quarintine facility in NY? Since they are in quarentine for a few weeks, it is pretty unlikely that the horse brought it from Europe, right? I am also wondering why it isn't a possibility that the horse from Europe caught it from one of the other horses on the van if they all are starting to show symptoms around the same time?


I don't really know anything about the disease or the incubation period, but I can tell you that if it is a gelding, they are in quarentine for less than a week. Mares and stallions have to stay longer, but geldings are pretty much in and out very quickly.

Has there been any news on if any horses that are still in Newburgh have shown signs?

[Sister Margarita]

As Fiction said, geldings go through quickly. Sometimes 48 hours at most, and horses can be incubating but not symptomatic of a virus in that period of time.

Thanks Meadow for the clear and concise summary.

[Kitty]

is 2 to 14 days. The USDA vet in Wellington today said that some horses show fever in two days, some show no fever and go right into symptoms whether respiratory or neurological. The temp can rise slightly then go back down then spike. It's called a "biphasic" fever. And at today's meeting, a timeline regarding the Newburgh horses was given. At least one of the horses which eventually reached Wellington arrived from Europe 11/23. It left with 5 others on 11/26 and that van headed south picking up 3 more in LI then another in MD, arriving in Wellington on 11/29. Go to the Phelps Sports website to watch the first 22 minutes of the meeting for free. Lots of details given. It's worth watching.

[tic-tac]

i heard that from the horses with the disease are all isolated...it seems liek things are getting much more clear.

[Meadow36]

They have isolated all the cases that THEY KNOW OF. Keep in mind that some horses may be sick but they don't know about it yet. That's why they are asking people to wait 7 days before shipping to Wellington. THE BORDERS ARE NOT CLOSED!!! Everything so far is voluntary, except for the three barns that are under state mandated lockdown.

By the way this only includes stables in the IMMEDIATE neighborhood of the horse show. Other stables are considered 'under precaution yet out of range' so if you are boarding outside the immediate area you should be fine.

The vet from Palm Beach Equine said he felt optomistic about it being under control as long as everything keeps getting reported and suspicious horses are put immediately into quarantine. This virus is easy to spread but it's also easy to kill and prevent. Regular Lysol or Purell hand sanitizer will kill it.

[tcth]

Thank-you Meadow36 and Kitty for the information and links. Was there any discussion of protocols for hay delivery? What precautions should a farm outside of Wellington use when receiving hay from a distributor in Wellington? Should we have them offload off property? Should it be stored for a week before use? Or are they practising enough precautions themselves that this shouldn't be a concern?

[Meadow36]

About the hay - this disease can only live outside the body on warm/moist/damp surfaces, such as your hands, water buckets, saliva that hasn't dried out, snot that hasn't dried out, etc. So - I can't see how it could live on hay, unless an infected horse snotted all over the hay and then you fed it to another horse. What you DO have to worry about it the feedman - he should wash his hands and dip the soles of his shoes in a foot bath before entering your barn, as should all of his helpers.

[Chanter]

When leaving the barn too would not exactly hurt either. Ya never know what may be incubating in your own barn, so better safe than sorry. ;)

[Meadow36]

They also asked this morning that blacksmiths, feed people, shippers, etc. should change their clothes after leaving any stable in this immediate area around the horse show. Just in case a horse sneezes on your shirt it could possibly be transferred that way, but another horse would have to nuzzle that shirt within a few hours. Once it dries out the disease dies.

I think it's probably a good idea to not let anyone handle the horses that doesn't absolutely have to. I would also limit visitors to the barn. Especially non-horsepeople who might not know any better.

[Meadow36]

Oh, forgot to mention - manure (being warm and moist) is another transmitter, hence the foot bath for shoes. That's why they mentioned this morning that suspicious horses should have there own pitchfork and muck bucket.

[TheOrangeOne]

:(

This is scary.