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Member
Posts: 29
| As a local (WAY too local) veterinarian, I receive email notifications of reportable disease outbreaks. So far, MN and WI have sent nothing and have nothing on their websites. I am NOT saying this isn't true (not at all) but so far, there appears to be no official notification or response.
What I am reading here appears to be correct according to people I have spoken to that are intimately involved with the situation. I also appears that another horse may have died yesterday in Polk County, WI. The outbreak seems to have originated or spread at Winona and is centered around the Stillwater, MN/Polk County, WI area. It is rumored that Oasis Equestrian Center in MN is quarantined too but I'm not sure. They have cancelled upcoming events. Many local boarding facilities are enforcing a quarantine as well--no traffic in or out of their places--as a precaution.
So far, this is all rumor, albeit from reliable sources, but I'm not taking chances. My boarded horse is coming home to be monitored and quarantined for 10 days.
I'll post any updates I get from the State. And no, it's not just barrel racers. My horse is boarded at a primarily reining facility. It's any horse--I think Stillwater made a bit of an incorrect statement trying to get the information out there :-) |
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 Veteran
Posts: 251
| I don't think anyone with any sense would think that only barrel horses are susceptible to this virus, however I think it's important to know when and where these horses have been to. I know I was concerned because I have been traveling and at recent events so because of this we are being very aware of the possibility that there could be a problem. Similar to other parts of the country the barrel racing community here is relatively tight and so many of the same horses are at all of the local events which only perpetuated the problem. |
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 Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
 
Location: Nebraska | I wonder what this means for the BRF coming up.... |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Obviously all horses are at risk. The reason I mentioned barrel horses is because I am sure other barrel horses that will be coming to Verndale this weekend were in close proximity to those barrel horses that have contracted the disease. The virus can survive outside the body for a month and the incubation period is up to 10 days. This is something that really requires uniform precautions/participation in order to minimlze spread and keep it from becoming something bigger. If most bigger shows put things on hold, but some podunk saddle club decides to have a game show, etc.... that could negate the effort. It's hard to control, but I wonder at what point do they just decide to shut everything down for a month across MN and Wisc. I wonder what's the "trigger" for that kind of drastic action. I don't know the answer. All I know is I'm not going anywhere for a couple weeks, at least, until this thing blows over. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | shepsrus - 2014-03-20 10:19 AM As a local (WAY too local) veterinarian, I receive email notifications of reportable disease outbreaks. So far, MN and WI have sent nothing and have nothing on their websites. I am NOT saying this isn't true (not at all) but so far, there appears to be no official notification or response. What I am reading here appears to be correct according to people I have spoken to that are intimately involved with the situation. I also appears that another horse may have died yesterday in Polk County, WI. The outbreak seems to have originated or spread at Winona and is centered around the Stillwater, MN/Polk County, WI area. It is rumored that Oasis Equestrian Center in MN is quarantined too but I'm not sure. They have cancelled upcoming events. Many local boarding facilities are enforcing a quarantine as well--no traffic in or out of their places--as a precaution. So far, this is all rumor, albeit from reliable sources, but I'm not taking chances. My boarded horse is coming home to be monitored and quarantined for 10 days. I'll post any updates I get from the State. And no, it's not just barrel racers. My horse is boarded at a primarily reining facility. It's any horse--I think Stillwater made a bit of an incorrect statement trying to get the information out there :-)
Thank you for posting! |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | brlracerchick - 2014-03-20 10:37 AM I wonder what this means for the BRF coming up....
That is what has been going through my head also. |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | shepsrus - 2014-03-20 10:19 AM As a local (WAY too local) veterinarian, I receive email notifications of reportable disease outbreaks. So far, MN and WI have sent nothing and have nothing on their websites. I am NOT saying this isn't true (not at all) but so far, there appears to be no official notification or response. What I am reading here appears to be correct according to people I have spoken to that are intimately involved with the situation. I also appears that another horse may have died yesterday in Polk County, WI. The outbreak seems to have originated or spread at Winona and is centered around the Stillwater, MN/Polk County, WI area. It is rumored that Oasis Equestrian Center in MN is quarantined too but I'm not sure. They have cancelled upcoming events. Many local boarding facilities are enforcing a quarantine as well--no traffic in or out of their places--as a precaution. So far, this is all rumor, albeit from reliable sources, but I'm not taking chances. My boarded horse is coming home to be monitored and quarantined for 10 days. I'll post any updates I get from the State. And no, it's not just barrel racers. My horse is boarded at a primarily reining facility. It's any horse--I think Stillwater made a bit of an incorrect statement trying to get the information out there :-)
Thank you very much for posting. I haven't vaccinated this spring yet but am planning on it next week. Is this the right or wrong time? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
Location: The South | Does anyone know if vaccinated horses are still affected by this? I haven't read anything about it yet and I'm curious. I vaccinate with a 5 in 1 that's supposed to have EHV-1 in it. I don't know if it's like flu for humans where there's a bunch of different strains possible and they make an educated guess on which ones to put in this years vaccine.
Prayers for all of our friends up north, I hope it stays contained and dies out quickly. |
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Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska | LindsayJordan84 - 2014-03-20 11:33 AM Does anyone know if vaccinated horses are still affected by this? I haven't read anything about it yet and I'm curious. I vaccinate with a 5 in 1 that's supposed to have EHV-1 in it. I don't know if it's like flu for humans where there's a bunch of different strains possible and they make an educated guess on which ones to put in this years vaccine. Prayers for all of our friends up north, I hope it stays contained and dies out quickly.
I thought when the last outbreak happened that it was a different strain, but I'm not sure. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | LindsayJordan84 - 2014-03-20 11:33 AM Does anyone know if vaccinated horses are still affected by this? I haven't read anything about it yet and I'm curious. I vaccinate with a 5 in 1 that's supposed to have EHV-1 in it. I don't know if it's like flu for humans where there's a bunch of different strains possible and they make an educated guess on which ones to put in this years vaccine. Prayers for all of our friends up north, I hope it stays contained and dies out quickly.
My understanding is the EHV-1 vaccine protects against the respiratory form of the equine herpesvirus ("Rhino"), but not against the neurologic form, which is what we are concerned about in this instance. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my undertanding. In other words, having vaccinated against rhino doesn't protect against this deadly variant. |
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Veteran
Posts: 251
| Correct. This is my understanding as well. |
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Member
Posts: 29
| Okay--here's the scoop. I just spoke with the MN Board of Animal Health. They do not have a lot of info on this except that there were two confirmed cases of EHV-1 "n-strain" in Chisago County on the same farm. One horse died and one is recovering. The strain they isolated is a non-typical strain, meaning it does not usually cause neurological signs (non-neuropathogenic strain LOL).
There are numerous other reports of neurological animals in both MN and WI but test results are not in yet. They will not comment on unconfirmed cases, as frustrating as that may be. It does appear that there are more cases out there. They will probably coordinate with WI and notify veterinarians if the pending test results are positive. There was a horse that was at Oasis Equestrian Center in MN that has neurological signs--not sure on the timing but it was not boarded there, she didn't think. That's all I know.
And the vaccine does not protect against the neurological form of the disease, only the respiratory and abortion forms. There is evidence that vaccinating reduces SHEDDING of the virus, but if your horse is exposed, no vaccine will help. I still will recommend vaccinating because of the shedding issue. If it reduces shedding, then fewer other horses are exposed.
(and sorry--I didn't mean that anyone was getting bent out of shape about the barrel horse comments. I too, thought it a little odd that they specifically addressed barrel racers. Like we all hang out exclusively? You know, those reiners...LOL).
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 984
Location: Southwest Minnesota | Here's the latest post I saw on Facebook...
http://www.examiner.com/article/ehv-1-outbreak-cancels-many-midwest-horse-events
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1118
Location: The South | Thank you guys! I completely forgot about the respiratory vs neurologic part of this. Such a nasty bug, I hope everyone stays home and stays safe. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| CYA Ranch - 2014-03-20 11:21 AM brlracerchick - 2014-03-20 10:37 AM I wonder what this means for the BRF coming up.... That is what has been going through my head also.
I thought the same thing, but I also think that by the time BRF rolls around in 3 weeks, the horses would either have it or be past the incubation/quarantine period.
If the locations where it was found are closed down, then they wouldn't infect more horses during that 3 week period that would be travelling to BRF.
Those are my thoughts. |
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Regular
Posts: 54
| I have been watching the information coming out on this. I spoke w/ my vet yesterday and they said this is a different strain and so the vaccination will not protect against it.
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 Husband Spoiler
Posts: 4151
Location: North Dakota | WrapN3MN - 2014-03-20 9:45 AM HotbearLVR - 2014-03-20 9:29 AM linds - 2014-03-19 3:44 PM I don't know how to post a picture of it, but Stillwater Vet Clinic posted this just now: ************ATTENTION***************** On March 7, 2014 two barrel horses located North of Stillwater were tested positive for EHV1. One horse was euthanized. On March 17, 2014 one barrel horse located North of Stillwater in Wisconsin showed signs consistent with an EHV1 infection, and is currently down and unable to get up. Tests are pending. On March 18, 2014 a Barrel horse was taken to the University of Minnesota for neurologic symptoms ( EHV1 like symptoms) and was euthanized. Tests are pending On March 18, 2014 a Barrel horse was examined in the west metro area for neurologic symptoms (EHV1 like symptoms) and is being treated. Tests are pending. At this time we are recommending that barrel horses do not travel to shows until these tests are completed and the extent of this outbreak can be determined. Another thing is, we can't pin this on just barrel horses anymore. A friend mentioned that there was a reining show at Winona the weekend before the barrel race, and a AQHA show the weekend after. The entire horse industry needs to be on the watch, too. Many of my friends have barrel horses, and also own a pleasure horse. They could be bringing their exposed barrel horse home, and taking their pleasure horse to a show the next weekend. It's just so easy for this to reach different areas. I just hope everyone stays home for a little bit and we can get this in control as much as well as we possibly can, without spreading it more. 
Edited: I guess they have now decided to postpone it.
Edited by Just Bring It 2014-03-20 12:43 PM
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Member
Posts: 29
| From the MN Board of Animal Health (they DID finally send something out to vets):
March 20, 2014
There have been reports from equine practitioners in parts of eastern MN and western WI of horses with acute neurologic signs. Two of the affected horses have tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection (non-neuropathogenic strain). The two positive cases were horses on the same premises in Chisago County, Minnesota. Diagnostic tests are pending on additional horses.
Equine herpesvirus-1 is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory disease, abortion, and intermittent outbreaks of neurologic disease in horses. Symptoms that should alert horse owners to the possibility of neurologic EHV-1 infection include fever, weakness and incoordination, and urine dribbling or inability to urinate. Horses with these symptoms should be examined immediately by a veterinarian. Suspect horses should be isolated from healthy horses and tested for EHV-1 by submitting nasal swabs and whole blood in EDTA tubes to UC-Davis for real-time PCR analysis. Information about sample submission is available by visiting the UC Davis website.
The neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 is a reportable disease in Minnesota. Test results that are confirmed to be the neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 must be forwarded to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.
The University of Minnesota Center for Animal Health and Food Safety recommends that horses with a fever and symptoms of contagious respiratory infection should be kept at home and not taken to shows, clinics or public trail rides. Horse owners should also be aware that transportation of horses to competitions, shows and clinics may increase the risk of exposure to infectious organisms. Owners of affected horses should wash and disinfect their hands and change their clothes before coming into contact with healthy horses to prevent the potential spread of these infectious organisms.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health will provide updates to the veterinary community as the situation evolves.
Educational handouts on EHV-1:
U of M Center for Animal Health and Food Safety EHV-1 fact sheet
U.S. Department of Agriculture EHV brochure
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | shepsrus - 2014-03-20 12:44 PM From the MN Board of Animal Health (they DID finally send something out to vets): March 20, 2014 There have been reports from equine practitioners in parts of eastern MN and western WI of horses with acute neurologic signs. Two of the affected horses have tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection (non-neuropathogenic strain). The two positive cases were horses on the same premises in Chisago County, Minnesota. Diagnostic tests are pending on additional horses. Equine herpesvirus-1 is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory disease, abortion, and intermittent outbreaks of neurologic disease in horses. Symptoms that should alert horse owners to the possibility of neurologic EHV-1 infection include fever, weakness and incoordination, and urine dribbling or inability to urinate. Horses with these symptoms should be examined immediately by a veterinarian. Suspect horses should be isolated from healthy horses and tested for EHV-1 by submitting nasal swabs and whole blood in EDTA tubes to UC-Davis for real-time PCR analysis. Information about sample submission is available by visiting the UC Davis website. The neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 is a reportable disease in Minnesota. Test results that are confirmed to be the neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 must be forwarded to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. The University of Minnesota Center for Animal Health and Food Safety recommends that horses with a fever and symptoms of contagious respiratory infection should be kept at home and not taken to shows, clinics or public trail rides. Horse owners should also be aware that transportation of horses to competitions, shows and clinics may increase the risk of exposure to infectious organisms. Owners of affected horses should wash and disinfect their hands and change their clothes before coming into contact with healthy horses to prevent the potential spread of these infectious organisms. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health will provide updates to the veterinary community as the situation evolves. Educational handouts on EHV-1: U of M Center for Animal Health and Food Safety EHV-1 fact sheet U.S. Department of Agriculture EHV brochure
Thanks so much for shedding so much light on this for us. You are a breath of fresh air and I hope you post more often!
So, in essence, postponing the shows is a very sensible thing, especially since there are other potentially positive cases out there.
The Verndale show was cancelled, by the way. I guess we just hunker down for a couple more weeks until the dust has settled, hopefully. Bummer. Oh well. It's only March. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 209
| A lot of non barrel events are getting cancelled in MN as well just as a precaution. Which will greatly help as some people out there would still haul even though they are at risk. Remember to never share buckets, brushes, tack ect. It can be spread primary (nose to nose contact) or secondary (people touch infected horse and go touch another horse, through buckets ect). Bleach is definitely my friend! Sadly it is also airborne so check your horses temp daily if your horse has potentially been exposed. I saw on facebook that many arenas, Oasis, Arrowhead and others are on lockdown to be precautious. I also saw that on facebook that Oasis said they have no horses showing symptoms or anything... Stillwater is showing information regarding cases in MN/WI not just the ones they are dealing with, currently they are sending cases to the U of M as they have lots of resources and great quarantine facilities. I know of one horse who showed all symptoms (neurological and all) and they are awaiting the autopsy results to confirm so they won't positively say the horse had it because test take a couple days. We can hope that this is contained quickly and no one loses anymore horses. |
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