Second Monmouth County horse farm quarantined amid equine herpes outbreak

Source: NewJerseyNewsRoom.com

19 April 2011

A second horse farm in Colts Neck, Monmouth County, has been quarantined as part of a state Department of Agriculture investigation into an outbreak of the neurologic form of Equine Herpes Virus, Type One (EHV-1) that has led to the death of one horse and sickened five others.

The disease was discovered Wednesday by a private veterinarian treating a sick horse at the first farm, Overbrook Farm. The filly was euthanized by the veterinarian after it failed to respond to treatment. Five other Overbrook Farm horses are recovering from the illnesses.

The Agriculture Department’s tracing activities at Overbrook Farm to determine the extent of the outbreak led to Friday’s quarantine of Tourelay Farm but no sick horses have been reported there.

Overbrook Farm was quarantined Thursday, meaning horse movement on and off the property has ceased and only essential farm personnel are allowed access to limit the spread of the virus. While the disease is not dangerous to humans, personnel must utilize biosecurity measures, such as disinfectant foot baths, coveralls, disposable gloves, hand washing and disinfectant hand gels, and non-sharing of tack between horses.

The Overbrook Farm and Tourelay Farm quarantines are expected to last 21 days, unless more horses become ill. All quarantines are based on risk assessment.

The Agriculture Department has been in contact with Colts Neck Township officials to keep them informed of the efforts to contain the virus and protect animals.

The EHV-1 virus spreads quickly from horse to horse, has a high morbidity and can cause a wide range of symptoms, from a complete lack of clinical signs to respiratory problems, especially in young horses, and spontaneous abortions in pregnant mares. The neurologic form of EHV-1, additionally, can cause an acute paralytic syndrome, which results in a high mortality. The incubation period of EHV-1 is typically 2 to 10 days. The virus spreads readily through direct contact with infected materials.

The virus does not affect other domestic animals, with the exception of llamas and alpacas.

Concerned owners should consult their veterinarian prior to taking any action as the clinical signs of infection with the neurological form of EHV-1 are common to many other diseases. The neurologic form of EHV is a reportable disease in New Jersey.

For more information about the disease, in PDF format, click here.

If an owner has a horse that is 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, click here.