A press conference on the Equine Herpes virus outbreak in Wellington, Florida was held on December 16th. On hand, to discuss all aspects of the virus was a representative of the Florida Department of Agriculture, the USDA Assistant Area Vet in charge and several others.
The outbreak originated with a shipment of horses from Europe that were released from quarantine in New York on Nov. 26th and arrived in Wellington, Florida on November 29th. In all, three horses have died from the herpes virus and eight more are being monitored in Wellington for the symptoms though tests have yet to confirm the virus.
Herpes is spread and shed via the nasal cavity. Horse handlers are asked to be vigilant with personal hygiene, washing hands when working from one horse to the next. Self management is important to prevent the spread and farms have been asked to practice common sense techniques to manage the outbreak: don’t share water buckets, disinfect shared bits, clippers, bridles, etc. Handlers have also been asked to take the temperature of all horses twice a day and if the temperature reaches 101.5 to contact a veterinarian.
While the vaccine for EHV-1 will not prevent a horse from contracting the virus or prevent neurological symptoms it will decrease the amount of nasal shedding thus protecting against the spread. The vaccine is only useful for 90 days so owners are asked to re-vaccinate accordingly.
The panel asked people looking to ship into the area to wait seven days until December 22nd at which time they will have a better understanding of the outbreak. It was noted however, that there have been no state imposed travel restrictions.
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