Throughout the day our office has received numerous inquiries about the illness reportedly affecting horses in TN, MS and KY that have a commonality of having participated at a trail ride in TN during the end of April.
Rusty
E.S. Rusty Ford
Equine Programs Manager
Office of State Veterinarian
502/564-3956
Rusty1.ford@ky.gov
2012 – EQUINE ILLNESS - TN’s BUCKSNORT TRAIL RIDE
Kentucky’s Response and Position - Updated May 10, 2012
Questions or Comments to Rusty1.Ford@ky.gov
Late yesterday afternoon the TN Department of Agriculture alerted Kentucky’s Agriculture Commissioner, James Comer and staff in the KY State Veterinarians Office of an illness affecting horses that had participated in the Bucksnort Trail Ride held in Tennessee late last month (April). Information provided by Tennessee officials describe horses as presenting with varying symptoms that include neurological abnormalities. The information released yesterday also provided that the illness has resulted in four equine deaths with four additional horses demonstrating similar symptoms. Earlier today we learned that preliminary diagnostic testing gives evidence that one or more of these sick horses may have contracted Equine Herpes Virus Type-1 (EHV-1).
Management at the trail ride provided to TN officials a listing of participants that included seven (7) Kentucky residents. These individuals participated with eight (8) horses originating from the Kentucky counties of Edmonson, Logan, Simpson, Todd and Warren. One of these horses is included as a fatality of the illness. Veterinarians and the owners of the remaining seven horses all report the horses returned from the trail ride in good form and remain bright, alert, responsive and healthy this morning. These seven horses are not known to have direct contact with any sick animal and will continue to be monitored closely. Diagnostic samples collected from the single ill horse residing in KY prior to its expiring have been submitted for diagnostic testing. Other horses residing on this same farm are under veterinary restriction pending a determination as to what caused the horse’s illness.
The Kentucky State Veterinarians Office is providing the following ‘preliminary’ information and our position in response to a diagnosis of EHV-1 having caused the neurological disease being described.
Investigative information believed to be accurate includes:
1) It is reported eight (8) horses participating in a Tennessee trail ride have become affected with an illness thought to be a communicable disease with a tentative diagnosis of EHM. Horses demonstrating illness have or are residing in Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky.
2) Four of the cases have resulted in equine deaths.
3) Preliminary PCR testing has detected EHV-1 viral DNA in at least two of these cases. Additional and more definitive testing continues.
4) The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has provided to officials in bordering states a listing of individuals that participated in the trail ride.
Kentucky Response:
1) Investigations conducted within Kentucky identified eight Kentucky horses had participated. Results of the investigation demonstrate that at this time Kentucky’s equine population was minimally impacted.
2) Resulting from the apparent and potential spread of this illness, we encourage elevated biosecurity precautions be implemented by Kentucky facility managers and managers of shows/exhibitions/trail rides etc held in Kentucky.
3) We have been contacted by and provided guidance to trail ride managers on precautionary measures that should be implemented stressing that the goal of a biosecurity plan is to prevent the transmission of infectious agents among individuals.
4) Our additional ‘recommendation’ is that horsemen consult their veterinarians, and after evaluating their animal’s vaccination status against encephalitic causing diseases such as West Nile virus, consider if there is a need to stimulate immune response by vaccinating against EHV-1. We acknowledge the available vaccines’ labels make no claim to prevent neurologic disease, but based on our successful experiences 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 minimizes impact of this disease.
5) Commissioner Comer and Dr. Stout have directed Animal Health personnel to work closely with show managers and veterinarians to insure immediate notification of any suspected communicable disease is made to appropriate officials. Commissioner Comer stressed early notification allows a quick response by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture which in turn provides opportunity to minimize any potential direct and indirect negative impact to our industry might suffer.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as information becomes available.
Rusty Ford
Equine Programs Manager
Office of Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert Stout
•
del.icio.us
digg
facebook
late april trail ride in bucksnort tn, has led to a number of horses coming down with possible EHV-1. PLEASE READ.