Riverside County Incident:
January 31, 2012: NO NEW CASES.
Background: On January 25, 2012, a large multi-discipline facility in Riverside County was quarantined after a horse displaying neurologic signs was confirmed positive for Equine Herpes Virus-1.
- To date, only one positive confirmed case on this premises and that horse was euthanized on Monday January 23, 2012.
- Exposed horses are monitored and temperatures are taken twice daily.
- Owners of exposed horses which left the property prior to the quarantine have been contacted and ask to isolate, monitor for signs and take exposed horse temperature twice daily.
- Epidemiologic investigation reveals no link to any previous CA EHV-1 incidents.
- CDFA continues to monitor the situation.
Orange County Incident:
January 31, 2012: NO NEW CASES.
Background: On January 11, 2012, a large multi-discipline facility in Orange County was quarantined after a horse displaying neurologic signs was confirmed positive for Equine Herpes Virus-1.
- To date, a total of 16 horses have been confirmed positive for EHV-1.
- Only one horse has displayed neurologic signs and all others displayed compatible clinical signs such as fever, nasal discharge, and/or limb edema.
- The last clinical onset date of a confirmed positive case was January 24, 2012.
- All infected horses are isolated and enhanced biosecurity measures implemented.
- Exposed horses are monitored and temperatures are taken twice daily.
- Owners of exposed horses which left the property prior to the quarantine have been contacted and ask to isolate, monitor for signs and take exposed horse temperature twice daily.
- Epidemiologic investigation reveals no link to any previous CA EHV-1 incidents.
- CDFA continues to monitor the situation.
Recommendations for Participants at Horse Events
CDFA Animal Health Officials continually monitor the Equine Herpes Virus-1 situation. Currently, CDFA is not aware of any transmission from the quarantine premises to any other premises or group of horses. Based on the current status of the EHV-1 situation, CDFA has not made any recommendations for the cancellation of any equine events. Horse owners traveling to an equine event are reminded that there is always risk when horses of unknown health status are commingled at one location for a show or competition. CDFA strongly recommends horse owners practice proper biosecurity when traveling to or stalled at an equine event. Consistent basic biosecurity practices play an important role in reducing risk of exposure to all contagious equine diseases when attending an event. The following basic biosecurity measures should be followed at horse events to decrease potential disease spread:
- Limit horse-to-horse contact.
- Limit horse-to-human- to- horse contact.
- Avoid use of communal water sources
- Avoid sharing of equipment unless thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses.
- Monitor your horse for clinical signs of disease and report any temperature over 102F to a veterinarian.
