U.S. Department Of Agriculture Issues Final Equine Herpesvirus Situation Report

U.S. Department of Agriculture issues final Equine Herpesvirus situation report

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has been tracking cases of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) since the first cases of the outbreak were reported in early May. With its final situation report issued on June 23, APHIS reports no new cases of the disease.

EHV-1 is fairly common, but the neurologic form of the disease, called Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) can be fatal and is contagious between horses. All cases of EHV-1 and EHM in this spring’s outbreak were traced back to the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championship in Ogden, Utah, April 29-May 8. The original carrier of the disease was never identified, but EHV-1 and EHM infections were confirmed in ten western states and Canada after the competition.

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According to the APHIS final report, there were a total of 57 confirmed cases of EHV-1, 33 confirmed cases of EHM and 13 equine deaths, including euthanasias, suspected or confirmed to be a result of the outbreak.

The incident forced many stables into quarantine and caused the cancellation of many shows and events in the western United States. With no new cases reported, APHIS has officially declared the outbreak to be contained.

Further Reading
Updated Information on EHM
Horse owners advised to take caution in light of EHV-1 outbreak

14 years ago

Abigail Boatwright

Abigail Boatwright is a freelance writer and photographer based in Texas, and is the editor of Horse Illustrated’s sister publication, Western Life Today.

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TRAIL RIDER says:
June 29, 2011 at 8:56 am
WHAT A RELIEF. GLAD TO HEAR THERE ARE NO NEW CASES. MY CONDOLENCES TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR HORSES TO THIS DISEASE.
kilee shoulders says:
June 29, 2011 at 9:57 am
I feel so bad for the horses that had the death of the euthanasias and this disease. im glad they did not find any bad diseases yet? it could be bad for the population of the horse.we could try to help to get rid of this disease?
Jack says:
June 29, 2011 at 1:10 pm
I ship to events and so I've been concerned about the EHV-1 virus. When it first started spreading I spoke to my Vet who told me to pre treat my horse with resveratrol which has anti-viral properties. He recommended Resvantage Equine supplements. These supplements not only work as an antiviral but they can be used as a preventive approach to controlling inflammation.
http://backyardhorsetrainer.com/category/horse-nutrition/
http://cs.thehorse.com/blogs/press-release/archive/2010/01/11/gluck-center-study-documents-anti-inflammatory-activity-of-resveratrol-in-horses.aspx
http://www.resvantageequine.com
Horselover says:
June 29, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Hurray its gone !
Mary Ann says:
June 29, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Great info!
Galadriel says:
June 29, 2011 at 11:53 pm
I'm glad that it's finally contained. I'm sorry for all those who lost horses though.