ICC | Interim Report

International Breeders' Meeting

INTERNATIONAL COLLATING CENTRE

Animal Health Trust
Information Exchange on Infectious Equine Disease
Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, England
Telephone: + 44 (0) 8700 502424 extension 1266
Fax: + 44 (0) 1638 555601
Website: http://www.aht.org.uk/icc/linksicc.html

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PLEASE CONTACT RICHARD NEWTON OR MAIRE O’BRIEN ON THE ABOVE NUMBER, OR E-MAIL
maire.obrien@aht.org.uk TO SUBMIT REPORTING INFORMATION

Interim Report – May 2011 #6 (27.05.11)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) Neurological Disease - update on outbreaks in the western states
A second week report has been released by USDA, APHIS, VS concerning the reports of widespread occurrence of EHV-1 neurological disease or myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in a number of Western states in the US over the past 2-3 weeks. As indicated in a previous interim report, the source of infection for this recent series of outbreaks was the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championship Show held in Ogden, Utah held between April 28th and May 8th, 2011.
The states currently identified with suspect or confirmed cases of EHM are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Quarterhorses represent the primary horse breed involved. Of 244 exposed premises, 61 (25%) have had suspect or confirmed cases of EHV-1 EHM of which 15 (25%) represent premises identified this past week. The number of confirmed cases of EHM currently stands at 28, of which 25 (89%) are primary cases exposed at the Ogden event and 3 (11%) are secondary or tertiary cases.
In parallel to these figures, the number of confirmed cases of EHV-1 infection without accompanying neurological signs is 33 in primary exposed horses and 14 in secondary and tertiary exposed horses. At this time, a total of 11 horses (9 primary cases and 2 secondary/tertiary cases) have died or been euthanased. All suspect and confirmed cases of EHV-1 EHM are reportedly under voluntary or state quarantine as are all known exposed horses.
Related to the occurrence of EHV in the Western states, outbreaks of the disease have also been reported from the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. Standardized recommendations developed by state and federal officials emphasize isolation of exposed horses, monitoring for clinical signs of neurological disease and the need to test and treat affected horses. Biosecurity measures are available for premises with suspect or confirmed cases of the disease. A further update of the situation will be provided next week.

Regards
International Collating Centre