Posted 2015-02-05 6:31 AM Subject: EHV-1 in galveston County Texas -2horses deceased - 3 euthanized
Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
Dr Jenkins Page: There has been a confirmed positive case of Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1) in our area at a farm in Galveston County, near the border with Brazoria County and the intersection of Alvin, Dickinson and Santa Fe. The confirmed positive case is deceased, along with a second horse on that farm that is suspected to have been infected with EHV-1. Another farm, within 1 mile of the first farm, has also experienced animals with signs consistent with EHV-1. Three horses on this farm were euthanized due to either severe respiratory or neurological signs. Testing is in progress to confirm diagnosis of EHV-1 on the second farm. These results should be in tomorrow. At this time, it is unknown where the infection originated, but the Texas Animal Health Commission and United States Department of Agriculture are working hard to find that information out. Movement of horses on and off the infected properties is being investigated. At this time, 3 properties are quarantined, the two affected farms and our clinic (Santa Fe Equine Hospital) where a horse possibly exposed to an infected horse has been hospitalized. Our goal at Santa Fe Equine Hospital is to keep our clients and patients completely informed and safe during this outbreak. We will work hard to provide you the most complete, up to date information. WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS, but will be working strictly mobile (farm calls) until we are sure coming on our property will not endanger your horse!
Posted 2015-02-05 7:37 AM Subject: RE: EHV-1 in galveston County Texas -2horses deceased - 3 euthanized
You get what you give
Posts: 13030 Location: Texas
I hope they get the necropsies done soon so we can find out if they were euthanized because of EHV-1 or something else that went down on their farm. From what someone told me, the clinical signs do not match EHV-1 at all.. so if it is that, it's an atypical presentation of the disease. I am hoping this is a correlation versus causation thing but it just does not sound good to have multiple farms in the area sick at the same time.
I would like to point out, EHV-1 in its normal strain is a fairly common virus that is part of the typical vaccine protocol. The usual manifestation of EHV-1 is abortions in mares starting around 5 months gestation, and then respiratory disease where you have a fever, inappetence, and nasal discharge for several days to one week. The vaccine is good about controlling this form of EHV-1. IF this ends up being the neurologic strain of EHV-1, which is a mutation of the normal strain, then its bad news bears.
EHV-1 in galveston County Texas -2horses deceased - 3 euthanized
