A suspected case of EHV-1, the neurological form of the equine herpes virus, has been reported at the Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Maryland, and quarantine measures are currently in place.
According to a bulletin on the centre’s website, “veterinarian Dr. Kathy Anderson is optimistic the incident is isolated and contained.”
The report continued, “The horse has been transferred to a separate barn on the property, where it is the only horse in residence, and the remainder of the horses from the original barn have been identified and kept isolated from other horses and barns at the training center. No other horses have shown signs of the disease. The exposed horses can utilize special training hours with no contact with the starting gate, personnel or equipment, and with restricted exit/entry to that barn.
“Anderson said Fair Hill has worked closely with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in testing and prevention measures. Recommendations are for the unexposed horses at the training center to continue normal training and movement.
“The horse in question in the current case arrived at Fair Hill in mid-December. Recently, it exhibited an elevated temperature, colic symptoms and moderate neurologic signs. Blood and other tests were negative, but a subsequent nasal swab sample showed a “weak positive” for EHV-1 with no evidence of the neuropathogenic strain mutation.
“Anderson said less than 25 percent of horses testing positive for the virus do not have that strain. The horse was moved to a separate barn Jan. 1 and is completely isolated. It will stay isolated for at least 21 days based on the results of further testing. Anderson said there is no evidence that additional restrictions are needed. The horse in question, and the others from that barn, will complete the isolation period (which officially started Jan. 2) and will be monitored for further signs of illness.”
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