Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 Update
May 25, 2011
TALLAHASSEE -- There is currently an EHV-1 neurological disease outbreak occurring in several Western states and Western Canada, says the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Currently, we do not have any horses in Florida known to be exposed to the virus related to that particular outbreak and we do not have any increased intra or interstate movement requirements. However, there are some states that are adding additional requirements so we recommend that all those persons leaving Florida transporting horses, to contact the state of destination to ensure full compliance.
In a separate incident, Florida has one farm in Alachua County that is under state quarantine, which has had two horses euthanized due to complications of EHV-1 infection (one case suspected and one confirmed). The FDACS believes that the index case occurred on the quarantined farm due to reemergence of a latent infection and that no exposure has occurred off the affected premises.
FDACS will continue to monitor the situation in our Western states and plans to post information on our Website weekly, or more frequently, if needed. Additional information about the disease, as well as a national summary, can be found at the following website: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/.