The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has lifted the quarantines on properties in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. The quarantines were imposed after a horse developed highly infectious equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) on March 31, according tot he Equine Disease Communication Center. The horse from the Somerset County farm is recovering and no other horses showed signs of illness in...
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has lifted the quarantines on properties in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. The quarantines were imposed after a horse developed highly infectious equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) on March 31, according tot he Equine Disease Communication Center.
The horse from the Somerset County farm is recovering and no other horses showed signs of illness in the 21 days since the horse was admitted to B.W. Furlong & Associates equine clinic in Oldwick, N.J., according a statement on the the clinic's website.
According to a press release from the Department of Agriculture, EHM is the often deadly neurologic form of the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) infection. No recent movement had occurred at the farm where the virus was reported prior to this case. The horse was moved into the isolation barn at the animal hospital the evening EHM was confirmed.
Nine horses were being treated at the hospital at the time of the incident; several horses were exposed to the ill horse. Seven of those horses were moved to a remote facility, which was also placed under quarantine so the hospital could be cleaned and disinfected in order to reopen.
The hospital reopened on April 8. The exposed horses were released on April 21.
Several area horse shows have announced that exhibitors must provide proof of vaccination for each horse and other requirements. Horse owners should contact show management to see what is required before shipping to the showgrounds.
The EHV-1 organism spreads quickly from horse to horse and can cause respiratory problems, especially in young horses, spontaneous abortions in pregnant mares, and the neurologic form of the virus can result in death. The incubation period of EHV-1 is typically 2-10 days. Clinical signs include respiratory disease, fever, nasal discharge, depression, cough, lack of appetite, and/or enlarged lymph nodes. In horses infected with the neurologic strain of EHV-1, clinical signs typically include mild in-coordination, hind end weakness/paralysis, loss of bladder and tail function, and loss of sensation to the skin in the hind end. The virus spreads readily through direct contact with infected materials. While highly infectious, the virus does not persist in the environment for an extended period of time and is neutralized by hand soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and sunlight. The virus does not affect humans and other domestic animals, with the exception of llamas and alpacas.
Concerned owners should consult with their veterinarian prior to taking any action as the clinical signs of infection with the neurological form of EHV-1 (EHM) are common to many other diseases. EHM is a reportable disease in New Jersey. If an owner has a horse exhibiting neurologic signs or suspects Equine Herpes, they are directed to call their veterinarian immediately.
The NJDA Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory provides testing for the neurologic form of EHV-1. For more information, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/prog/lab.html or call 609-406-6999.
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Horse News covers everything equestrian in the mid-Atlantic area and can be reached at horsenews@hcdemocrat.com
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