EHV-1 Warning released by the National Cutting Horse Association

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Sun, 2011-05-15 23:07

South Texas Cowboy

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Many cutters across the country are justifiably concerned with the reported cases of Equine Herpesvirus that have occurred and been documented in several horses that attended the NCHA Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah April 29 - May 8. The virus can be contagious among horses, but is NOT transmittable to humans. While the NCHA does not want to unnecessarily alarm horse owners, we do want to be a clearinghouse of factual information so you can make informed decisions on this matter regarding your personal horses.

As a precautionary measure, the Board of Directors of the Breeders Invitational cancelled that event that had been scheduled for May 14 - 28 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the NCHA cancelled the Mercuria/NCHA World Series of Cutting event that had begun in conjunction with the BI in Tulsa. While no horses currently in Tulsa for the BI or the World Series of Cutting have exhibited any clinical signs of EHV, the governing bodies for the events made the decision to cancel the shows to ensure the maximum health and safety of horses scheduled to participate until additional information on the extent of the several EHV cases reported in other state(s) can be determined.

As of the writing of this memo (Sunday May 15 at 12:00 noon Central Time) the only documented and confirmed cases of EHV by laboratory analysis to our knowledge are with horses currently in the state of Colorado. We are aware of reports of the virus in horses located in several other Western states and in western Canada, where laboratory analysis is currently pending, and we will disseminate information on any additional confirmed cases when and if we receive those reports. There are many extremely qualified veterinarians working on this issue.

While the NCHA has not at present mandated the cancellation of any NCHA-approved events to be conducted by our affiliate organizations, we do urge caution and continued good management practices by horse owners and show producers in the coming weeks. Please read this memo [http://www.nchacutting.com/ag/shows/pdf/csu_20110515.pdf] from Dr. Paul Lunn and Dr. Paul Morley of Colorado State University for guidance on good management practices to help ensure the health of your horses.

If you had a horse competing at the NCHA Western National Championships in Ogden, you may wish to consult with your local veterinarian on this issue. Any symptoms reportedly typically initially show within 4 - 6 days of exposure to the virus, and initially are in the form of a fever in the affected animal.

For further information, you can contact Colorado State Veterinarian Keith Roehr, DVM at (303/239-4166- office or 303/886-6995 – cell) or Utah State Veterinarian Bruce King, DVM at (801/520-4309). NCHA will continue to keep members updated through our website [http://www.nchacutting.com/]

Roger Edison

http://cowboyandchuckwagoncooking.blogspot.com/

Tue, 2011-05-17 20:32

South Texas Cowboy

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The PRCA UPDATE (EHV-1) Equine Herpes Virus

The PRCA is closely monitoring the issues surrounding the outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) that has spread through the Western United States. At this time we do not have any confirmation of any States that have restricted the transportation of horses, nor have any PRCA rodeos been cancelled at this time due to this outbreak. We will continue to monitor the situation and share information via www.prorodeo.com,

social media as well as these updates. Please contact Cindy Schonholtz at 719-440-7255 or animalwelfare@prorodeo.com with any questions or concerns.

Information about the Outbreak: You can read all of the details below but basically 2 horses in CO tested positive for the virus after attending the National Cutting Horse Association event in Ogden, Utah from April 30 to May 8. Since the diagnosis of the CO horses, horses in several other states including Idaho, California and Washington were diagnosed - they also were at the Utah show. Horses at a cutting horse show in Kern County, CA came down with the virus at the show. One of those horses and horses in several other states have been euthanized do to the disease.

Information on the disease: The EHV-1 organism spreads quickly from horse to horse and the neurologic form of the virus can reach high morbidity and mortality rates. The incubation period of EHV-1 is typically 2-10 days.

Prognosis depends on severity of signs and the period of recumbency. There is no specific treatment for EHV-1. Treatment may include intravenous fluids, anti-inflammatory drugs and other appropriate supportive treatment. Currently, there is no equine vaccine that has a label claim for protection against the neurological strain of the virus.

Advice for Horse Owners: All horse owners who attended the Ogden, UT, event should notify their veterinarian and isolate and monitor their horses for clinical signs of the disease. Some horses may not show signs of the disease but may still be a carrier. Those owners are also encouraged to restrict movement of their horses and take the horses temperature 2 times daily, even if they show no other symptoms if the temperature is elevated contact your veterinarian immediately.
Every horse owner should educate themselves on the symptoms and if their horse show any symptoms, ISOLATE, DO NOT MOVE THEM and CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY.

Symptoms include:
· Fever preceding neurologic signs (either in a horse diagnosed with EHM or in horses that
have been exposed to a horse diagnosed with EHM),
· Decreased coordination,
· Urine dribbling,
· Loss of tail tone,
· Hind limb weakness,
· Leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance,
· Lethargy, and
· Inability to rise.

Full brochure on the disease from the USDA

Practice good bio security at your horse facility USDA information on the subject

Before transporting horses interstate, contact the State Veterinarian in the state you are traveling to insure there are no travel restrictions.

Directory of State Veterinarians
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
Updated CO Dept of Ag Release
Equine Herpes Virus confirmed in two CO Horses
Colorado Dept of Ag
Equine Herpes Virus
California Dept of Food and Ag

EHV-1 Alert
Idaho Dept of Ag

State veterinarian cautions horse owners about EHV-1
WA Dept of Ag

NEWS

Multiple States Affected in EHV-1 Outbreak

The Horse Magazine

Virus found in Idaho Horses

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is investigating what it's calling "a suspected outbreak" of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) within the state.

Nebraska Vet quarantines five farms over potential contact with Virus in Utah

LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska's state veterinarian has placed five horse farms under quarantine because of potential contact with a contagious horse virus during a championship event in Utah.

CSU protecting horses during EHV-1 outbreak Concerns over a growing outbreak of equine herpesvirus has prompted CSU to cancel all non-emergency appointments for horses and camelids at its world-renowned veterinary teaching hospital in Fort Collins, and to block any horses from entering or leaving its equine science center.

Roger Edison

http://cowboyandchuckwagoncooking.blogspot.com/