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Murray State University Takes Precaution
Against Spread of Equine Virus

MURRAY, KY (April 9, 2008) - The Kentucky State Veterinarian’s Office issued a quarantine at the Murray State University Equine Unit on Tuesday April 8, 2008, after a student boarder’s horse showed symptoms consistent with Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1).  The horse was immediately transported from the site to a referral center in Lexington, KY.  The diagnosis was confirmed by laboratory test late on Tuesday evening.

Officials with Kentucky Department of Agriculture have ordered biosecurity measures at the student barn and the university equine barns. Ag officials say the disease poses no danger to humans. Symptoms of equine herpes virus most commonly include fever and an upper respiratory infection.  The symptoms can also include lethargy, loss of appetite, a nasal discharge and a cough.  In severe cases, horses can suffer a loss of coordination and an inability to stand and the illness can be fatal.

The virus can be spread through the respiratory tract of the horse although studies on the virus indicate that it is very short-lived in the environment and is susceptible to disinfectants.  The maximum extent of the airborne transmission of the virus is believed to be less than 75 feet.  Horses may also contract the disease if they come in contact with the clothing of a person who has worked with an infected horse, the tack and equipment worn by an infected horse, or a shared food and water source. 

Rusty Ford, Equine Programs manager for the office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian – Dr. Robert Stout, said implementation of the quarantine and its associated biosecurity measures was ordered in an effort to contain and isolate any possible EHV-1 cases to that barn and minimize any spread of the virus among the horse population at MSU.

“Quick response by Murray State University and the implementation of biosecurity measures should minimize the spread of the virus,” says Ford.  Diagnostic testing to more accurately define the situation is underway at the Breathitt Veterinary Center in Hopkinsville.

The imposed quarantine does not affect scheduled events at the William “Bill” Cherry Exposition Center.  After thorough assessment of the premises, officials with the Kentucky State Veterinarian’s Office with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Breathitt Veterinary Center are confident that with implementation of biosecurity measures the Exposition Center is a safe environment for activities to continue as scheduled. 

The situation will remain under the surveillance of the State Veterinarian’s Office. The disease management strategies will be re-evaluated as test results become available. 

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