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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7640
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Jan 23, 2003 - 4:15 am: |   |
We will collect the questions on this outbreak here. From an article by The Horse this is the information I have gleaned:
- 10 horses have died or have been euthanized at the University of Findlay (UF) in Findlay, Ohio.
- They first presented with fever and respiratory disease that progressed to incoordination.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests by the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s (ODA) Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory have diagnosed equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1).
- Another dozen horses are being treated for a similar condition.
- The effected horses had been vaccinated (for EHV1?)
- The source of the infection is unknown.
We have information on this disease in the just updated article on the neurological disease of EHV-1 that is associated with this forum.
DrO |
JBR
Member
Username: Jbr714
Post Number: 10
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jan 22, 2003 - 4:44 pm: | |
Looking for any information about what's going on UF (Univ. of Findlay in Ohio). I've found two news articles. One states that horses where sent to Ohio Dept. of Agr. for further testing. Ohio St. feels this is an outbreak of Neurologic Herpes. I'm involved with a large barn in Ohio and the local vets all have different ideas. I respect your wisdom and would greatlly appreciate your help.
Thanks,
J |
Kathryn Ball
Member
Username: Bonsmom
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jan 22, 2003 - 12:01 pm: | |
Dear Dr. O. I have just been notified of an outbreak or rhinopneumonitis in Ohio. According to my vet, the outbreak has been confined to one barn. I discussed boosting my mare now [her last booster was 10-22-2002]and he said that although she was current we didn't have to but it wouldn't hurt to revaccinate. The casses on record are the neurologic strain which apparently is not covered by either the modified live or the usual type vaccine. I decided to have her boosted early with the usual vaccine. I have been informed that the barn manager has issued an "edict" that all horses boarded at the farm MUST be vaccinated with the modified live vaccine by Fri. or will have to leave the farm.
Are there increased risks associated with this particular vaccine? Are there increased benefits considering that it is the neurologic form of the disease? I appreciate your attention to this matter.
Kathi B. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7639
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Jan 23, 2003 - 4:11 am: | |
Hello JBR and Kathi,
Important is to realize the EHV-1 neuropathy generally is not an epidemic-like problem and usually remains confined to just a barn or two. It takes pretty close contact between two horses to spread it.
The MLV vaccine is considered safe and more effective than the killed forms but the role of vaccination in preventing the neurological forms of hepes virus infections is uncertain and vaccination may actually increase the risk of the neurological disease (see article for details).
We know vaccination does not prevent infection but may prevent shedding. It still is not understood whether the neurological disease is caused by infection of the vasculature of the CNS or caused by a immune mediated vasculitis.
If vaccination is decided on in an attempt to protect against the neurological form of this disease (possibly not a good idea to horses already exposed) or at least prevent spread (more logical), the important thing is that the vaccine be effective against EHV-1 (most common neurological form) as we do not think the herpes vaccine products cross protect.
DrO |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7642
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Jan 23, 2003 - 6:46 am: | |
To All,
In response to the Ohio outbreak of EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy I have updated the article on herpesvirus neurological disease to reflect the latest information available. Just click on Equine Herpes Encephalopathy in the navigation frame above.
DrO |
JBR
Member
Username: Jbr714
Post Number: 11
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, Jan 23, 2003 - 9:41 pm: | |
Thank you for your response and the new information in the article. All of our horses are current on vacc. So we will sit tight.
I am hearing from Vets in the area that they are recomending not only boosters of Rhino but Knumobort K (sp). To make sure I understand what you've writen this would be a poor choice and could also be dangerous.
Lastly, in your opinion do you think they will be able to determine how this was brought into the barn? Should Herpes titres be done as a preventitive in large barns?
J |
Dona M Lane
New Member
Username: Dmlane
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jan 23, 2003 - 11:20 pm: | |
As a horse owner I encountered this strain of Rhino in March of 2001 after purchasing a horse. I brought the horse in my barn (poor judgement) and the horse showed signs 10 days after being in my barn. She died on the 11th day after infecting another horse. A section of her spinal cord and blood work was sent to Cornell University. When my 2nd horse showed signs I drove to Cornell and the following day my gelding died. During the time the first horse died, my vet and I were suspicious that it might be EHV-1 and I separated my horses and disinfected my barn on a daily basis for 3 weeks. During this time I took their temperature 3 times a day and disinfected my hands before touching another horse. Taking this precaution, I feel, saved the rest of my herd. Even though my gelding had contacted this disease after both horses sniffed noses (their only contact), I was able to save the rest of the herd by separation and disinfecting. All my horses were current on vaccinations, but there is no vaccination effective for this strain is what I understood. After 2 years I am still disinfecting my barn once a week, taking my horses temperatures at various intervals, keeping current on vaccinations and boostering my horses if I am going out of the area. When I lost my first horse to this, disease it took 2 1/2 weeks before the results were back on the cause of the death-positive EHV-1. The results from my second horse were back in 48 hours. I wish that this strain was reportable. When I was at Cornell University, I found out that my horse was the 9th horse brought to the University that was positive for EHV-1 for that year (in 3 months). How can we as a body of horse owners get the State Boards to recognize this disease as a reportable disease and not a disease we have to hear about after the fact? I feel that after the loss of 2 horses, I have learned the lesson of segregating new horses from my existing herd by putting them in a separate barn and pasture for a 3 week period. I also do not allow people in my barn without them stepping in a disinfectant and scrubbing their hands. I may sound vain or overly careful, but I have invested love, time and money in my horses and I am protecting my investment. I was told that there was no way to have known the first horse was infected with this disease. If this disease was a reportable disease, horse owners would have knowledge of infected areas so that precautions could be taken. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7653
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Friday, Jan 24, 2003 - 8:57 am: | |
JBR,
closer to the truth is, "we are uncertain what the effects of vaccination are" and "some hypothesize it may worsen the neurological form if contracted but may help prevent the spread".
The answer to, "will they find the origin" is just "perhaps". Titers will not be particularly helpful as a horse has already been infected for some time and is probably no longer shedding by the time the titers go up.
Dona, the reason this disease is not reportable is that all horses contract this disease during their life. The neurological form is poorly understood and currently not identifiable as a seperate strain. We do not know if it is an unusual reaction to the usual strain (not all horses during an outbreak get the neuro-form) or a strain specific disease (some outbreaks of EHV-1 have a high incidence of the neuro form). The virus is probably not persistant in the environment so if that is the reason you scrub, take a break.
DrO |
Beth Minnich
New Member
Username: Phanilah
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Feb 3, 2003 - 11:26 pm: | |
Dear Dr. Oglesby,
Can you help draw some correlations between EHV infection and HHV infection? After spending close to a decade working with horses professionally, I made a career change and now am working with a research program world known for their human herpesvirus work. And, I confess, I'm having some difficulty correlating what I know about HHV into the EHV situation in OH.
Do horses also suffer from primary infection and recurrent infection? If so, are symptoms similar or different? What about viral shedding? I understand acyclovir was used as a treatment for the OH case - do you have information on the outcome of the drug's use?
Thanks -
Beth |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7736
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 4, 2003 - 8:46 am: | |
Hello Beth,
You will find some similarities and differences but you have to remember we are talking about 2 diferent species of 8 identified that infect horses. See these articles on Herpes Virus infections, I believe your questions are covered in them:
- » Equine Diseases » Nervous System » Equine Herpes Encephalopathy
- » Equine Diseases » Reproductive Diseases » Problems Keeping Mares Pregnant » Equine Herpes & Abortion
- » Equine Diseases » Respiratory System » Nasal Discharge, Cough, and Fever
DrO |
Kathryn Ball
Member
Username: Bonsmom
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Feb 10, 2003 - 11:01 am: | |
Dear Dr. O.,
Thank you for the information on EVH-1.
As of todays date, I have not heard of any cases of EHV-1 outside of the Findlay facility.
The "knee jerk" reaction by a certain Veterinary Clinic in the area resulted in well over 500 doses of the MLV vaccine being given as well as the follow up visits for reactions to the vaccine.
My vet recommended keeping current with vaccinations and said that neither Ohio State U. nor a very well known clinic in Lexington recommended the MLV vaccine in response to the outbreak in Findlay.
Again thank you for your response.
Kathi |
Cathy Johnson
Member
Username: Arab64
Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, Mar 1, 2003 - 12:20 pm: | |
I recently heard that the herpes virus has hit philidelphia and at a race track near shagrin pa is this true. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7900
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Mar 3, 2003 - 8:13 am: | |
Yes, to view more about this see:
Herpes 1 in Pennsylvania
DrO |
Mary Fran Nikolai
Member
Username: Goshawk
Post Number: 9
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 4, 2003 - 8:27 pm: | |
A student related that her parents were going to trailer 2 horses to Ohio. One of the horses is due to foal in May. The owner said that she was told not to have the horses brought to Ohio due to the outbreak of the herpes virus and that several competitions have been cancelled. What is the status of horses coming into the state of Ohio at this time? |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7913
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2003 - 6:37 am: | |
Hello Mary,
The last I heard the problem is confined to a single facility but it happens that it is a rather large one that hosts a lot of shows, those are the ones that have been cancelled. I have not heard that this has effected the interstate travel of horses into Ohio, though health certificates may be getting looked at more for horses traveling on the interstate highways.
DrO |
Christine Wilson
Member
Username: Cwilson
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2003 - 11:28 am: | |
I'm concerned about the outbreak at Findley. My daughter is signed up for their riding camp in June and will be taking her own horse. Should we consider cancelling? This is our first horse and we've only had him since September. I don't want to take any unnecessary risks. |
Cathy Johnson
Member
Username: Arab64
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2003 - 1:17 pm: | |
I am a barn owner and have a concern about the equine herpes virus. One of my boarders had to go to OSU with her horse for a severe broken leg today. My concern is what precautions should be taken before she brings her horse back into my facility. OSU said they have taken their own precautions but my other boarders are worried about the horse coming back since they still have horses in quarintine at OSU. THANKS Cathy |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7914
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2003 - 8:06 pm: | |
Christine, I guess it depends on your risk tolerance. If there have been no active infections in the prior 45 days I think the risk is small but certainly not zero. No one can put an actual number on the risk, we still know too little about this disease, but past experience shows this disease comes through like a toronado and then leaves. I was involved in a large outbreak in Georgia back in the early 80s, while I was a student. I was very familiar with this since I rode at this barn occasionally as a teenager. Many horses where involvedand it was pretty bad with quite a few put down. But after active cases quit forming the barn did not have further problems at least for the next 4 years during which I would have been made aware of it. Neither did any of the surrounding farms have a problem. This experience seems consistant with the reports of outbreaks I have read.
When the horse returns Cathy, I would quarantine the horse for a month. This means keeping the horse seperate from the others by at least 20 feet and other horses do not have access to any common areas for that time. This horse should be fed and cared for last after all other horses are cared for so that you do not go back and care for others.
DrO |
Lynne Wilson Taglioli
Member
Username: Tagloili
Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 5, 2003 - 8:33 pm: | |
http://www.thehorse.com/news.asp?fid=4214 |
Cathy Johnson
Member
Username: Arab64
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, Mar 9, 2003 - 12:49 pm: | |
Hi I have a question about a horse facility in Lake Erie shutting down facilty due to a new outbreak in Northern Ohio a week ago. Do you know anything about this and if so where I might beable to find out more info. Thanx Cathy |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7932
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Mar 10, 2003 - 6:58 am: | |
No Cathy I have not heard of such an outbreak. In the Associations section of The Advisor you will find both the numbers to the Ohio State Veterinary office and to Ohio Horsemen Associations. For the latest I would contact the state veterinarian.
DrO |
Christine Wilson
Member
Username: Cwilson
Post Number: 4
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Mar 10, 2003 - 11:10 am: | |
I had my dog at the vet on the 5th and was talking to one of his techs about the outbreak at Findley. She is in pre-vet at West Virginia University and heard that 27/28 equine hospitals in the country are quarantined because of this EVH-1 problem. This may totally unfounded but I was just wondering.
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 7935
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 - 6:05 am: | |
I have not heard this information Christine nor that there are any problems other than those described above.
DrO |
Cathy Johnson
Member
Username: Arab64
Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Mar 11, 2003 - 9:12 am: | |
The website that stated the story about Lake Erie closing was found at http://www.pleasururehorse.com/ Cathy
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