The Kentucky Office of the State Veterinarian has been monitoring the ‘continuing’ outbreak of viral arteritis affecting horses in Argentina and more specifically the Buenos Aries region of that country. The information we are receiving is sketchy, fragmented, and in many instances unofficial and without verification.
What is apparent:
1) There are a significant number of premises affected with clinical disease
2) Abortions in mares have been reported
3) Most reports reflect this outbreak to primarily involve sport horses – Dressage/Hunter Jumpers etc on both training and breeding establishments.
4) We have recently received information suggesting that ‘some’ thoroughbreds have also been involved. We are unable to determine the factuality of this information and are uncertain whether this is suggesting racing and/or breeding thoroughbreds.
In response to an inquiry of the USDA’s National Centers for Import and Export regarding what if any entry restrictions for horses from Argentina is USDA considering to impose in an attempt to mitigate this as yet undefined level of risk, the office received the following:
…….we don't anticipate adding any restrictions because of the outbreak in Argentina; However, horses currently or recently infected with EVA should not be imported into the US, because our health certificate requires this statement:
The horse has been inspected and found to be free of contagious diseases and insofar as can be determined, exposure thereto during the 60 days immediately preceding exportation.
For Consideration:
With the threat level horses importing from Argentina pose of introducing arteritis virus – WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE HORSEMEN TO CONSULT THEIR VETERINARIANS about added biosecurity measures that might be implemented when introducing horses importing from Argentina or have had opportunity of contact with horses that were imported from Argentina during the preceding 30 days.
Additionally, we encourage managers of stallions that will be exporting to Argentina for the Southern Hemisphere season to work with their veterinarians in determining an individual stallion’s level of established immunity. If the detected level of antibody isn’t expected to provide lasting immunity through the southern hemisphere season, consideration might be given to boosting the level with vaccine. Again, this should be considered only after consulting your veterinarian.
