Dec. 29 was another black day for the equine rhinopneumonitis, or EHV-1, outbreak in Florida when a sixth horse succumbed to the virus. The horse, a polo pony, was euthanized after exhibiting neurological symptoms, reported Mark Fagan of the Florida Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Industry. The horse was stabled at the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex in Wellington, which had been under state-mandated quarantine.
In addition, on Dec. 29 another horse, stabled at S&L Farms in Wellington, tested positive for the virus and veterinarians began monitoring two others for signs of illness. The other two are at the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex.
As of Jan. 2, the number of quarantined premises in Florida stands at 10, with six suspected exposed premises. The number of infected horses stands at 12, with six of those exhibiting neurological signs and six deaths. The date of the last quarantine issued was Dec. 24. The outbreak began on Nov. 29.
Across the country in California an EHV-1 outbreak is also making headlines. A horse named Royal Brass, stabled at Golden Gate Fields in Albany with trainer Lloyd Mason, tested positive for the neurogenic strain of EHV-1. There appears to be no link between the ongoing outbreak in Florida and this one in Northern California, however.
The horse was sent to the University of California-Davis on Dec. 28 after showing signs of neurological discomfort following morning exercise. Tests revealed the 3-year-old gelding has EHV-1. Because of the positive test, Golden Gate Fields and nearby Northern California tracks Bay Meadows and Pleasanton were immediately put under mandatory quarantine by the California Horse Racing Board. The quarantine affects about 2,100 horses.
“For the purposes of the quarantine, the three tracks will be treated as one facility,” said Dr. Rick Arthur, equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board.
“The conditions of the quarantine will allow the transfer of horses between the tracks but no horse may leave any of the quarantined tracks except to travel to another quarantined track. Horses may enter Golden Gate Fields, Bay Meadows or Pleasanton from another facility but they will then be subject to EHV-1 quarantine conditions.
“The length of the quarantine will depend on our ability to contain the spread of the infection,” continued Arthur. “At this time only one horse has been diagnosed with neurogenic EHV-1.”
Racing will continue as normal during the quarantine.
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Fairfield Equine Associates, Newtown, Conn., is also under quarantine after a horse there tested positive for EHV-1.
On Dec. 31, FEA released a statement that included the following information: “We recently identified a strain of herpes virus in a horse hospitalized at our facility. This horse was admitted to our facility from his stable in Vermont on Dec. 13 for a lameness examination. He had arthroscopic surgery at our facility on Dec. 19 and developed a fever on Dec. 24. No neurologic signs have been exhibited thus far, but the virus that was identified from a nasal swab was the neuropathogenic form of herpes virus.”
The horse was immediately isolated when he first exhibited a fever and routine procedures were followed to limit the spread from this horse to other horses. Fairfield Equine employees are intensively tracing any connection that the affected horse might have had with other horses at the facility. The current infection involves only one horse, and his signs are limited to a fever with no neurologic signs.
FEA is not admitting horses as outpatients or inpatients, however, the staff has made alternative arrangements with a local hospital for emergency hospital or surgical care.
The release continues: “We are currently in touch with federal and state officials as well as experts in the field of equine infectious diseases. We are currently recommending that any horse that has had any possible connection with the affected horse in our hospital, whether by human contact or horse contact, have its temperature taken twice daily for at least two weeks. If any unusual rise in temperature is noted, you should contact your veterinarian for further advice.”
FEA includes a 14,000 square foot facility employing six vets and 19 full-time employees. The practice is renowned in sport horse medicine, employing technologically advanced diagnostic and treatment services for lameness. Their client list includes many of the top sport horse farms and trainers in the Northeast. While Fairfield is continuing to offer ambulatory services with barn visits by vets, the clinic is under quarantine.
