Two more Marion County farms linked to EHV-1 quarantined
In an update to the Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1) outbreak in Marion County, Florida, Department of Agriculture officials have quarantined two additional farms Sunday according to a EHV-1 Outbreak and Quarantine Information issued Monday.
Photo by Scott Bauer Agricultural Research Services
Hard Ford Farm in Reddick and Chestnut Hill Farm in Ocala were added to the quarantine list as horses were housed in Tent 3 on the HITS Showgrounds during the known exposure period.
On the same day, Tequestrian Farm was released from quarantine Monday.
No new EHV-1 cases in this outbreak have been identified.
The outbreak has been linked to a Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) event in Ocala last month.
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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