By Annette Newcomb
SLN Staff
Area horse owners are being notified that an Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak (EHV-1) has been confirmed in the area and has already claimed two horses in Gurnee, Ill.
According to Dr. Ann E. McCombs, an equine veterinarian in Harvard, Ill., two horses bordered at Double W Stable were diagnosed with clinical signs of the virus March 1. A high fever is usually the first sign, McCombs said.
As the weekend progresses the health of the two horses declined and they were euthanized March 4. Other horses in the same barn have exhibited clinical signs consistent with the disease and the Illinois State Veterinarian’s office has quarantined the stable. The quarantine will last 21 days after the last horse to be affected exhibits no clinical signs.
McComb said horse owners should be in “lock down” mode if they aren’t already.
“Heighten your bio security plan,” advised McComb. “Nothing should be going in or out of your stable. Horses, deliveries, visitors – nothing.”
The virus can be brought in by feed delivery, farriers and on clothing, including footwear.
“Until the outbreak in Gurnee has completed the quarantine period, cancel your plans to take your horse anywhere or have outside horses in your facility,” McComb said. Use caution about where you go and who or what comes into your barn. Use a change of clothes, disinfect boots and wash your hands.”
McComb said owners should be very cautious when they are around other stables and horses. “If you go somewhere where other horses are, I wouldn’t even wear the same clothes or boots into your own stable.”
McComb said, “No currently available vaccine can prevent the neurogenic form of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1).”
The more potent EHV-1 vaccines developed for the respiratory and abortion forms of this virus have been shown to reduce nasal shedding of virus and therefore decrease spread. If horses on the farm have been previously vaccinated against EHV-1 then booster vaccination should quickly increase immunity and perhaps reduce the spread of EHV-1.
Jean Dal Porto of Burlington has been riding since she was 4 years old and has owned horses for 18 years. She is currently the proud owner of three American Morgans.
When Dal Porto heard the EHV-1 had been confirmed at the Double W Stable, she said she immediately upped her bio security plan.
“I plan on trying to minimize their exposure to other horses over the next six weeks by making sure they get their spring vaccinations and keeping them on the farm.”
Dal Porto said she will not be taking her horses to horse shows and will be trail riding on the home farm, not off of the property where they could come into contact with other horses.
Her youngest horse, Piper, four, will not be going to the trainer’s barn for at least six weeks. “None of the horses will be leaving their home stable until I get the green light from my vet when no more local cases of EHV-1 have been reported,” she said.
Dal Porto said she will continue to ensure that anyone handling her horses, such as visitors, farriers or veterinarians practice safe bio-security measures by washing their hands, making sure their equipment has been disinfected, and disinfecting their shoes, especially if they have been around other horses.
McComb said horses usually exhibit symptoms two to seven days after being exposed. The first indication is usually a high fever.
The Horse and Rider website notes that horse owners who think their horses may have been exposed should isolate the horse in a stall or pen at least 30 to 40 feet away from other horses. Marking the area off with duct tape on the floor reminds other handlers to keep their horses away from the stall.
Water and feed buckets should never be shared and don’t allow the hose nozzle to touch the container used by the sick animal. Also, do not share grooming equipment and any piece of gear that can come in contact with the horse’s eyes, nose and mouth.
Limit the horse’s exposure to disease-spreading insects such as flies and mosquitoes. Manure and waste products should be taken away from the barn.
Always contact your vet when you have concerns on your animal.
McComb noted that if you are purchasing gear, put it in a plastic bag and let it sit in a corner away from the barn, for about two weeks before you introduce it to your horse.
