Horse in Ocala show tests positive for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1)
A horse that participated in an Ocala show last week has tested positive for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), wild type strain, according to a Florida Department of Agriculture outbreak notice Feb. 24.
Photo by Scott Bauer Agricultural Research Services
The affected horse was participating in the Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) horse show when it showing neurological signs last week.
The case was referred to the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, where it is in stable condition at UF.
Agricultural officials say there are no additional suspected or confirmed cases to date.
According to the release, the Division of Animal Industry is continuing the disease investigation, which includes the HITS show grounds in Ocala, the local index farm and multiple premises that have horses that may have been exposed to the positive horse.
No new quarantines have been issued today and the seven quarantines issued since last Thursday remain in place. These quarantines include the index farm, Tent 7 at HITS and five additional premises in Florida; two farms in the Ocala area, one in Pinellas Park, one in St. Augustine and one in Wellington. At this point in the investigation there are no known exposed horses in other states.
Additional movement requirements or restrictions have not been imposed by Florida or any other states at this time.
Georgia agricultural officials also issued a outbreak warning because of the case.
They recommend that any Georgia horses attending this event that are not under quarantine should be isolated when returned home and observed closely for the next 21 days. If there is evidence of fever or illness, a veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible. Anyone that was in attendance at this event should insure that adequate bio-security is maintained so that this potentially deadly viral disease is not transported back to Georgia.
According to Veterinary Virology, Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a virus of the family Herpesviridae that causes abortion, respiratory disease and occasionally neonatal mortality in horses.
Initial spread of EHV-1 by a newly introduced horse through direct and indirect contact can lead to abortion and perinatal infection in up to 70 percent of a previously unexposed herd. Abortion usually occurs in the last four months of gestation, two to four weeks after infection of the mare. Perinatal (around the time of birth) infection can lead to pneumonia and death. Encephalitis can occur in affected animals, leading to ataxia, paralysis, and death.
See more about EHV-1 in the Merck Veterinary Manual.
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