Below you will find the information released yesterday by the Florida Dept of Agriculture concerning the current EHV-1 outbreak and the farms that have been released from quarantine. If you have any questions concerning these issues, please do not hesitate to give us a call at the clinic.
EHV-1 Outbreak and Quarantine Information
March 13, 2013
Revised information is italicized
On February 21st the Division of Animal Industry (DAI) was notified that a horse participating in the Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) show in Ocala had been referred to the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, after exhibiting clinical neurological signs. The horse tested positive for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), wild-type strain. That horse had been housed in Tent 7 on the HITS Showgrounds which prompted a quarantine of the tent. The horse remains at the university and is in stable condition.
DAI veterinarians began monitoring horses at HITS and tracing exposed horses that had left the showgrounds. As a result of the initial investigation, five additional horses were found to be positive for EHV-1. Those horses had been housed in Tents 3 and 6 adjacent to Tent 7. One horse is under quarantine at Redfield Farm in Ocala. Four horses were placed under quarantine at Miles Away Farm in Loxahatchee. One of these four horses developed neurological signs and was transported to the University of
Florida.
With concern that the outbreak was more widespread, the entire HITS Showgrounds was placed under quarantine on February 27th. Movement of horses on or off the showgrounds is prohibited. The quarantine will remain in effect for a minimum of 21 days from the last exposure (February 20th). Any horse showing febrile, respiratory, or neurological signs will be tested. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' personnel are manning the gates of the showgrounds 24 hours a day.
Another horse associated with the HITS Showgrounds, which never showed any clinical signs of EHV-1, has tested positive. This horse is located at Calder Farms in Ocala.
Additional exposed horses that had been stabled in Tents 3, 6 and 7 and moved prior to the HITS quarantine have been placed under quarantine around the state. The following is a list of facilities that are currently under quarantine.
Quarantined Farms/Premises**
- Up Country Farm/Synergy Farm, Ocala (Partial Release)
- Montera Farm, Ocala
- Flutterby Farm, Ocala
- Foxwood Farms, Pinellas Park
- Black Forest Farm, St. Augustine
- Brookmore Farm, Oviedo
- Miles Away Farm, Loxahatchee
- Redfield Farm, Ocala (Partial Release)
- Calder Farms, Ocala
- Hard Ford Farm, Reddick
**The quarantines listed above do not necessarily encompass the entire premises.
Premises Released from Quarantine
- FEI tent at Wellington Showgrounds - February 28, 2013
- Tequestrian Farm, Wellington - March 4, 2013
- POD-F Farm, Wellington - March 9, 2013
- Up Country Farm, Ocala - March 13, 2013 (Partial Release)
- Kings Ridge Farm, Reddick - March 13, 2013
- Redfield Farm, Ocala - March 13, 2013 (Partial Release)
- Chestnut Hill Farm (Wisconsin based farm, Ocala temporary location) - March 13, 2013
- HITS Showgrounds, Ocala (entire facility) - March 13, 2013
Known State Movement Restriction for Horses
- California requirements include a negative test for Equine Infectious Anemia, obtained within the six (6) months before date of entry, and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) with a body temperature recorded for each horse in the shipment. Accredited veterinarians preparing CVIs are responsible for fulfillment of the temperature recording requirement.
To date, over 200 horses have been tested for EHV-1, including all horses in HITS Tents 3, 6, and 7, and others located on several premises quarantined outside the HITS Showgrounds. All horses tested negative with the exception of two horses under quarantine in St. Augustine. As a result, the HITS Showgrounds and several premises outside the HITS Showgrounds were released from quarantine this morning. The St. Augustine premises will remain in quarantine for a minimum of an additional 14 days.
We are advising horse owners and trainers to contact the venue of destination for any additional requirements prior to travel. Several equestrian events have instituted additional requirements for horses entering the show/competition. These may include shortened dating of Certificates of Veterinary Inspection or specific vaccination requirements.
Recommendations for horses that have shown at HITS since February 5, 2013 include close monitoring of animals, reporting of fevers greater than 101.5oF (38.6oC) and strict bio-security measures for at least 21 days after departure from HITS.
We are asking all those in the equine community to practice prudent bio-security on their farm and to report any suspected cases of EHV-1. For reporting, you may call 850-410-0900 Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm and 1-800-342-5869 after hours and weekends.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will continue to work with HITS management, trainers, and veterinarians to ensure proper safeguards are taken to prevent further spread of the disease.
Frequent informational updates will be provided, so please continue to visit this Website regularly at: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/ai/.
Additional Resources
More information on the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) can be found at the following Websites:
- American Association of Equine Practitioners,
http://www.aaep.org/health_articles.php?category=Equine+Herpesvirus+%28EHV%29
- Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky,
http://www.ca.uky.edu/gluck/BiblioEHV1.asp
- University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine.
http://extension.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/2012/02/EHV-June-2011.pdf
Bio-security information, to help reduce the risk of spread contagious and infectious diseases can be found at the following Websites:
- American Association of Equine Practitioners,
http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Biosecurity_instructions%201.pdf
http://www.aaep.org/ehv_resources.htm
http://www.aaep.org/health_articles_view.php?id=370
- United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS).
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/HorseBioSecurity_final.pdf