Equine Herpesvirus Outbreak Results in New Transportation Requirements for Colorado

May 18, 2011 - Colorado and Utah state veterinarians on Monday confirmed two cases of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) in Colorado. Currently, there are reports of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy affecting an unconfirmed number of horses and farms across the U.S. and Canada, according to a report from the American Association of Equine Practitioners. The diagnosed Colorado horses both recently attended a large National Cutting Horse Association show in Ogden, Utah.

Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy is another name for the neurologic disease associated with equine herpesvirus infections, according to the United State Department of Agriculture. Neurological signs appear as a result of damage to blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord associated with EHV infection. Interference with the blood supply leads to tissue damage and a subsequent loss in normal function of areas in the brain and spinal cord. To date, nine EHVs have been identified worldwide. Three of these – EHV-1, EHV-3, and EHV-4 – pose the most serious health risks for domesticated horses and can have significant economic impacts on the U.S. equine industry.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has implemented new travel requirements for horses entering the state due to the spread of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1).

“We are considering all of our options for protecting Colorado’s horse industry. At this point, we do not believe it’s necessary to stop horses from entering the state but we need to be able to know where those horses are coming from and where they are going; traceback is a vital part of disease control,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr.

New Requirements For Horses Entering Colorado

Standard requirements for horses entering Colorado include a health issued certificate within 30 days of their arrival and a negative Coggins test within 12 months. The new requirement consists of a permit to enter the state. Horse owners who wish to bring their horse into Colorado must first call their veterinarian. That veterinarian can then contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarian’s Office at (303) 239-4161 and request a permit number. That number would then be included on the health certificate.

Additional Travel Tips for Horse Owners Traveling To or From Colorado

Consider the disease risk before transporting horses.

Contact the State Veterinarian’s Office of the destination state to find out if travel requirements have changed for that state.

Call organizers of the event to see if they have new health requirements or if it has been cancelled.

If traveling, practice appropriate biosecurity measures. Biosecurity tips may be found at www.colorado.gov/ag .

Isolate any new animals and those returning to the home premises for three weeks when possible.

Use separate water, feed supplies and equipment.

Continue to monitor the CDA webpage at www.colorado.gov/ag for further information to aid in the decision making for transporting horses.

General Disease Information

EHV-1 is not transmissible to people; it can be a serious equine disease that can cause respiratory, neurologic disease and death. The most common way for EHV-1 to spread is by direct horse-to-horse contact. It can also be spread by contaminated tack, equipment, and people’s clothing. In addition, the virus can be spread through aerosols (airborne) for a limited distance.

Symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance, lethargy, and the inability to rise. While there is no cure, the symptoms of the disease may be treatable.

Horse owners should isolate any sick horses and immediately contact their veterinarian. Any individual horse with clinical signs consistent with neurological EHV-1 infection should be removed immediately from the area and placed in a separate enclosure for isolation.

Questions?

If you want to get your horse tested, or if you have questions about the disease, testing or other aspects of the investigation, contact your local veterinarian.

AQHA