Neurologic EHV-1 Cases in Minnesota and Virginia

Prior Lake, Minnesota
Via the Minnesota Board of Animal Health,
February 13, 2015
A horse with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, or the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus type-1, has been identified in Scott County, Minnesota.

The horse was stabled at Dark Horse Farm, 4300 182nd Street East, Prior Lake, MN 55312. The horse became ill Friday, February 6. It exhibited neurological signs, including ataxia and urinary incontinence (inability to control urination). It was then moved to Cleary Lake Veterinary Clinic in Prior Lake where it was held in isolation for treatment until test results were completed. Infection with equine herpesvirus type-1 was subsequently confirmed by polymerase chain reaction tests performed at Cornell University. The horse was euthanized Thursday, February 12.

The MBAH has placed a quarantine on the other horses at the stable. These horses will not be allowed to leave the stable for at least 21 days and will be monitored closely for fever or symptom of illness consistent with EHV-1.

Loudoun County, Virginia
Via the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
February 13, 2015
On Thursday, February 12, 2015, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was notified of a horse in Loudoun County that tested positive for equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, a neurological disease of horses caused by equine herpesvirus type-1.

On February 5, that horse exhibited a fever and was not eating or drinking. Even though it never showed neurological signs, the owner took the horse to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg. There they tested for and quickly diagnosed EHV-1. The horse is under quarantine there and is recovering. A second horse from the same farm exhibited a fever but no other signs. As a precaution, it is also under quarantine at the EMC and VDACS is running tests at its Regional Animal Health Laboratory in Warrenton.

Dr. Richard Wilkes, State Veterinarian with VDACS, stressed that the horses were admitted directly into the isolation area at Marion duPont Scott. At no time were these horses in the general hospital area. The EMC is confident that their bio-security protocols will contain the virus to the isolation area.

To read the full article on AQHA.com, click here.