EHV-1 Outbreak: California cases

There are currently 17 confirmed cases in Southern California.  Sixteen of the stricken horses are stabled at a facility in Orange County.  A seventeenth case was confirmed in Riverside county.  

In the Orange County outbreak, one horse was euthanized.  The original neurologic horse has subsequently tested clean.  The most recent case at this facility was confirmed on January 24th.  

In Riverside County, one case was tested positive and that horse was euthanized on January 23rd.  Other horses exposed at the facility are being closely monitored.

Both facilities are under quarantine.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture made this statement:

Currently, CDFA is not aware of any transmission from the quarantine premises to any other premises or group of horses.  Based on the current status of the EHV-1 situation, CDFA has not made any recommendations for the cancellation of any equine events.  Horse owners traveling to an equine event are reminded that there is always risk when horses of unknown health status are commingled at one location for a show or competition.  CDFA strongly recommends horse owners practice proper biosecurity when traveling to or stalled at an equine event.  Consistent basic biosecurity practices play an important role in reducing risk of exposure to all contagious equine diseases when attending an event.  The following basic biosecurity measures should be followed at horse events to decrease potential disease spread:

·        Limit horse-to-horse contact.

·        Limit horse-to-human- to- horse contact.

·        Avoid use of communal water sources

·        Avoid sharing of equipment unless thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses.

·        Monitor your horse for clinical signs of disease and report any temperature over 102F to a veterinarian.

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