Equine Infectious Diseases and Emergency Response

Hawthorne Race Course (Illinois)– Status Updated 1/3/2013

The Kentucky Office of State Veterinarian (OSV) continues
to monitor an outbreak of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy affecting horses at Hawthorne Race Course in Illinois.  Recent media reports state a horse in Hawthorne’s Barn 6 developed a fever during the last week of December and subsequently tested PCR positive for Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV-1).  The animal’s illness and associated diagnostic testing provide evidence that transmissible EHV-1 likely continues to be prevalent in the Hawthorne environment.  This evidence and threat of transmission of the causative agent, coupled with environmental and epidemiological factors, has lead Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout  to conclude that horses currently or recently stabled at Hawthorne pose a significant risk of exposure to this highly communicable disease.   Kentucky Administrative Regulations governing the entry of horses into the Commonwealth prohibits the entry of equine having known exposure to a communicable disease. Therefore, horses currently stabled and horses stabled during the past 30 days at Hawthorne are ineligible for traveling interstate into Kentucky without approval from Kentucky Department of Agriculture. 

 

Additionally, with the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s previously imposed quarantine scheduled for  release next week (January 9, 2013), effective immediately, the KY OSV requires that all horses seeking entry into Kentucky from Illinois be approved  by the KY State Veterinarian’s Office.  The required entry permit  should be applied for by the attending veterinarian in writing (fax to 502/564-7852) and must include each animal’s name, age, sex, breed, origin, destination, defined purpose of entry, and the IL Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) document number that will be issued. The request must also include a statement that the horse(s) has not been on Hawthorne’s grounds during the preceding 30 days.  Upon approval, the KY Entry Permit Number should be recorded on the CVI and a copy of the permit attached to the CVI during transportation.

Furthermore, due to the identified threat and elevated risk to our racing population, the KY OSV directive to Kentucky’s race tracks and training centers continues to be horses  that have been at Hawthorne during the fall meet should be denied  entry onto any Kentucky track or training center with exception given only to those horses that have completed a supervised quarantine off the grounds, have  tested negative for EHV-1 and have been released from restrictions imposed by the Kentucky Office of State Veterinarian.  In these instances, the facility’s management, stabling office or racing secretary should have supporting documentation that the routine entry requirements and vaccination requirements have been met. For those horses completing their post departure quarantine outside of Kentucky, we recommend that each animal be considered individually.  We will be happy to assist in reviewing each animal’s health status and eligibility for entry if desired.

 

In Summary:

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY – ALL HORSES ENTERING KENTUCKY FROM ILLINOIS MUST HAVE AN ENTRY PERMIT ISSUED BY THE KY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.  The permit request shall be in writing (fax to 502/564-7852) and include all pertinent information.  Our goal will be to receive, review, determine eligibility, and to approve or deny the request by the first workday following receipt.

 

Equine Disease Outbreaks and Emergency Responses

As would be expected, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is a leader among other states when situations occur which threaten the equine industry. Because of this leadership role, it is our responsibility to react promptly and with competence to threatening situations. We maintain an active advisory committee to assist the State Veterinarian and the Board of Agriculture in making informed decisions. This committee is comprised of some of the Nation's most respected practicing veterinarian's, researchers, scientist and industry leaders. As has been demonstrated numerous times during the past few years the Kentucky Department of Agriculture is capable of developing and implementing emergency programs and, when necessary promulgating emergency regulations, which have proven to be most effective in protecting Kentucky's vast equine population from threatening diseases. Because of the economic significance Kentucky's equine industry has in the State, we have over the years developed systematic means that enable us to accurately monitor disease situations in other states and countries. Information regarding threatening situations is gathered in a timely manner, reviewed and when warranted disseminated to Kentucky's equine industry and practicing veterinarians. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture works closely with the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners and the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association to insure that our practicing veterinarians are apprised of all threatening situations.

EXAMPLES OF PAST EMERGENCY PROGRAMS
• Illinois Eva Outbreak At Arlington Race Track
• Australia Morbillivirus
• Vesicular Stomatitis In The Western States
• 1998 CEM Like Organism Found In The Nurse Mare Population
• 1999 - 2001 Monitoring West Nile Virus Occurrence
• 2001 - Foot and Mouth Disease Surveillance
• 2001 - Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome in Kentucky

West Nile Equine Summary Information

2012 West Nile - 13 Cases - Updated 09/28/2012 - Map of affected counties.
2011 West Nile - Summary Hisorical Yearly Maps Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Surveillance HISTORICALLY:The last reported case of EEE affecting a horse in Kentucky was in 1995 when an 8 year old mare in Western Kentucky was euthanized after becoming recumbent. The diagnosis of EEE having affected this unvaccinated mare was based on virus being isolated from brain tissue submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
SURVEILLANCE:The Departments of Agriculture and Public Health have included Eastern equine encephalitis in our arbovirus surveillance. Mosquitoes being screened for West Nile virus are also tested for Eastern equine encephalitis virus. In addition, equine suspected of having contracted an encephalitic condition are being tested for West Nile and when warranted the sample is forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory for EEE screening.
ACTION: At this time our surveillance has not produced any evidence suggesting EEE virus is prevalent in Kentucky. We are continuing to closely monitor the migration of the virus and are in communication with our counterparts in states that have demonstrated a higher than usual prevalence of the virus.

Equine Infectious Anemia

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is an infectious viral disease affecting members of the horse family - for more information on this disease, please refer to the USDA EIA FACTSHEET.

History and Guidelines of Program
In 1974 the Kentucky Department of Agriculture implemented a program to determine the occurrence of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) among Kentucky's equine population. Testing conducted during the late 1970's and into the 1980's annually identified between 120 and 150 animals as affected with EIA.During the mid 80's and throughout the 90's an increased amount of attention was placed on stopping the spread of EIA amongst Kentucky's equine population. Today in excess of 100,000 samples are tested annually with fewer than 5 animals being identified as affected with EIA. Late in 2002 the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for the first time since its' inception amended the EIA Testing requirement from six (6) months to twelve (12) months for equine being offered for sale or changing ownership. FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING STATE TESTING REQUIREMENTS THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REQUIRES THAT THE ANIMALS BE TESTED USING AN OFFICIAL TEST METHOD CONDUCTED BY A LABORATORY APPROVED BY THE USDA TO CONDUCT EIA TESTING.

Official Tests
The Kentucky State Board of Agriculture recognizes both the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and the ELISA as official tests. When time permits, we encourage the use of the AGID test. Though not often, we have on occasion seen instances of "false positives" being reported when using the ELISA test. In addition the ELISA tests are not always recognized by some states as "official" and are not recognized as "official" tests for the purpose of exporting animals from the United States. In the event that an ELISA test is used for the interstate movement of an animal, we would encourage you to contact the state of destination to insure that the test is recognized.

Sale and Exhibition
(1) Sale. All horses and other equidae, except un-weaned foals accompanied by their dam, offered for sale, traded, given away, leased, or moved for the purpose of change of ownership shall be negative to an AGID test or other USDA approved test for equine infectious anemia within the previous twelve (12) months. Equine which are offered for sale at approved auction markets without proof of a negative test for EIA within the previous twelve (12) months shall have a blood sample drawn at the market by the approved market veterinarian at the seller's expense.

(2) Exhibition. All horses and other equidae, except un-weaned foals accompanied by their dam, offered for exhibition (i.e., entry into fairgrounds, livestock show grounds, public boarding stables, trail rides, racing, etc.) shall be negative to an AGID test or other USDA approved test for equine infectious anemia within the previous twelve (12) months.

Equine Viral Arteritis

HISTORY
During the spring of 1984 a virus identified by the University of Kentucky's Department of Veterinary Science as Equine Arteritis Virus was threatening Kentucky's thoroughbred population. As a result of the continued spread of the virus amongst Central Kentucky's thoroughbred farms, all breeding of thoroughbred horses was ordered stopped during the early summer months by The Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture, working cooperatively with the University of Kentucky's Department of Veterinary Science, worked throughout the fall and winter to determine the extent of the recent outbreak. Prior to the 1985 breeding season all thoroughbred stallions were tested under the supervision of the Department. All stallions found to be positive to the serology test were quarantined while additional testing was conducted to determine if they in fact were carrier's of the arteritis virus.

After a short delay, non-affected stallions were permitted to begin breeding in 1985. Stallions which were not vaccinated against the virus were monitored by serology testing every 14 days throughout the course of the breeding season to insure that the virus was not being spread. Stallions which were found to be shedding arteritis virus were permitted to return to breeding midway through the '85 breeding season. These stallions were heavily regulated by the Department of Agriculture to insure that they were bred only to qualified mares which were approved to be bred by the State Veterinarian's Office while following a stringent post breeding protocol consisting of isolation and quarantine.

Today there are no known thoroughbred shedding stallions standing at stud in Kentucky. The Department of Agriculture requires that all thoroughbred stallions standing at stud in Kentucky be vaccinated annually against Equine Arteritis Virus. Stallions which are standing their first season in Kentucky are required to be tested prior to vaccination in order to determine that they are not affected with the arteritis virus. As of today the only commercially approved vaccine for use is manufactured by Fort Dodge Laboratories and is called ARVAC?.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, working cooperatively with the Jockey Club maintains a stallion roster to insure that all stallions standing in Kentucky are properly vaccinated.
KY's EVA Regulation

2013 Occurrences of Equine Herpes Virus Type-1
Kentucky's Perspective and Position Updated: March 7, 2013

Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV-1) is described to be a highly contagious pathogen that is ubiquitous in horse populations throughout the world. Infections in horses can result in a variety of ailments that include respiratory disease, abortions, neonatal deaths and the neurologic disease termed Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Recently, alerts of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy being diagnosed in multiple states have been issued. States having cases of EHM diagnosed in recent months include California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Tennessee and Utah. Horses of different breeds and representing vastly different disciplines and activity have been affected.

The apparent increased frequency of disease and severity of symptoms being seen has lead Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert Stout to conclude extra precaution needs to be initiated and implemented to help mitigate the associated risk. We are directing Kentucky facility managers and the managers of shows/exhibitions planned to be held in Kentucky to immediately review their biosecurity practices and if needed elevate their biosecurity plan to minimize opportunity of horses having direct or indirect contact with one another. Indirect contact would include common water and feed sources as well as shared equipment and common areas. The goal of a biosecurity plan is to prevent the transmission of infectious agents among individuals. The components of a successful program will include cooperation of management, facility layout, decontamination, and when applicable immunization. Each of these factors directly affects the success or failure of the program. A copy of the American Association of Equine Practitioners biosecurity guidelines and EHV resources can be found at www.aaep.org/ehv_resources.htm. Our office is happy to assist facilities, show management and event veterinarians in evaluating their individual plans and when a need is identified, assist in adapting the plans.

As an additional preventive measure, we encourage horsemen to consult their veterinarians and after evaluating their animal's vaccination status consider if there is need or benefit to stimulating an immune response by vaccinating against EHV-1. We acknowledge the available vaccines' labels make no claim to prevent neurologic disease; but based on our experience managing outbreaks of this disease, and in consultation with infectious disease experts and research scientist, we continue to be of the opinion the vaccine does have a meaningful level of efficacy and may aide in reducing the impact of a disease incident.

In response to the identified increased risk, we have and will continue to operate with elevated regulatory surveillance and equine health inspection activity at events in Kentucky. Exhibitors can expedite their passage through our inspection points by having their health documents organized and horses loaded in a manner that will allow visual inspection. In addition to the surveillance and inspection activity we will be working closely with show managers and veterinarians to insure immediate notification and quick response to any suspected communicable disease.