EQUINE HERPES MYELOENCEPHALOPATHY (EHM)
2011 WESTERN STATES OUTBREAK OVERVIEW

EHV-1 US Outbreak Map
- Click map for larger image -

 

 

KENTUCKY DEPT AGR UPDATE : 6 June 2011

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has recieved the final report on this outbreak.  No new cases and no new premises have been affected.

KENTUCKY DEPT AGR UPDATE : 6 June 2011

Key Information - TOTALS:

  • 52 Confirmed EHV-1 Cases (32 primary exposure which occurred at show in Ogden, UT + 20 secondary or tertiary exposure*)
  • 32 Confirmed EHM Cases (26 primary exposure which occurred at show in Ogden, UT + 6 secondary or tertiary exposure*)
  • 12 Deaths attributed to EHV/EHM Outbreak - Not all cases confirmed.

Horses categorized in EHV-1 or EHM suspect categories or as EHV-1confirmed in previous reports may change categories based on test results or development of additional clinical signs.

*secondary or tertiary horses are those which have been exposed to horses which were exposed at the Ogden, UT show.

 

KENTUCKY DEPT AGR UPDATE : 31 May 2011

Key Information - TOTALS:

  • 47 Confirmed EHV-1 Cases (33 primary exposure which occurred at show in Ogden, UT + 14 secondary or tertiary exposure*)
  • 28 Confirmed EHM Cases (25 primary exposure which occurred at show in Ogden, UT + 3 secondary or tertiary exposure*)
  • 11 Deaths attributed to EHV/EHM Outbreak - Not all cases confirmed.  Click here for map of confirmed deaths.

*secondary or tertiary horses are those which have been exposed to horses which were exposed at the Ogden, UT show.

KENTUCKY DEPT AGR UPDATE : 23 May 2011

2011 EQUINE HERPES MYELOENCEPHALOPATHY (EHM) WESTERN STATES OUTBREAK : KENTUCKY PESPECTIVE 23 May 2011

KENTUCKY DEPT AGR UPDATE : 18 May 2011

2011 EQUINE HERPES MYELOENCEPHALOPATHY (EHM) WESTERN STATES OUTBREAK : KENTUCKY PESPECTIVE 18 May 2011

KENTUCKY DEPT AGR UPDATE : 16 May 2011 Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Outbreak - Rusty Ford

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has received reports of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1) affecting horses in multiple western states and have verified the disease being diagnosed in Colorado.  The outbreak reportedly traces to horses that attended the National Cutting Horse Association's (NCHA) Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah. The event took place April 30 – May 8, 2011. Horses from multiple states were at the event.

After contacting the NCHA and the KY Quarter Horse Association we have found no evidence that Kentucky horses were present at this event nor has there been any indication of Kentucky horses being affected. In light of this recent disease outbreak, the Kentucky State Veterinarians Office encourages exhibitors to take extra caution to protect their horses from EHV-1 and other communicable disease.

    • Consult your veterinarian about potential disease threats and steps you can take to mitigate any identified threat. 
    • Available vaccines make no label claim to prevent the myeloencephalitic form of EHV-1 infection. Consult your veterinarian about any potential benefit vaccinating horses against equine herpes myeloencephalogathy (EHV-1). Recent experiences combating outbreaks of neurologic herpes caused by EHV-1 in Kentucky supports the anecdotal evidence suggesting some efficacy minimizing the impact of the disease.
    • Observe horses daily for evidence of illness that may include elevated body temperature.
    • Prevent your horses from having unnecessary contact with other horses at shows: do not allow them to drink from a common water source or eat from shared buckets, minimize sharing of equipment such as lead lines, and disinfect any equipment that is shared. 

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