Equine Herpes in California

Warning to Horse Owners:

There have been at least 2 confirmed cases of equine herpes-1 (EHV-1) infection in horses that competed at the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championships in Utah. Some horses were transported to another show in Bakersfield immediately following and became symptomatic for EHV-1. Because of the presence of EHV-1 in the community, we are taking every precaution to prevent EHV-1 entry into the general hospital.  Every horse admitted to the hospital is being tested for EHV-1 and full biosecurity precautions are in force during the next few weeks as necessary. 


Equine Herpes Virus is a common virus of horses world wide, and can cause respiratory disease, abortions, and less commonly neurological signs. It is transmitted by aerosol and close contact between horses, including fomites such as shared tack, equipment, and human hands. There are vaccines currently available for the prevention of respiratory disease and abortion caused by EHV, there are currently none available for vaccination against the neurological form of the disease. 


Precautions: Please contact your veterinarian if your horse may have been exposed to EHV-1 at either of these shows or through contact with a horse that has returned from these shows. Exposed horses should be isolated and have their rectal temperature taken twice daily. If fever develops, they should be tested for EHV-1.  
Written by: Gary Magdesian

For additional information, please refer to the following sites:

Resources:

California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory:

http://www.cahfs.ucdavis.edu/

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.cahfs.ucdavis.edu/> 

UC Davis Center for Equine Health:

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/ehv1_general.cfm

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.vetmed.uc davis.edu/ceh/ehv1_general.cfm> 

Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Brochure

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs...herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf> 

CDFA Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Fact Sheet

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS...pdfs/EHV-1FactSheetSept2010.pdf

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/AHFSS/Animal_Health/pdfs/EHV-1FactSheetSept2010.pdf> 

USDA Resources

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/> 

American Association of Equine Practitioners Fact Sheet

http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/con...s/Equine%20Herpes%20Virus.pdf

<https://mail.cdfa.ca.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Equine%2520Herpes%2520Virus.pdf>