Washington EHV: At Least 16 Horses Test Positive

Sixteen horses at one facility in King County, Washington, have now tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), seven of which have been euthanized. On Dec. 15, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) first reported that a 13-year-old Haflinger gelding had tested positive for EHV-1. In a Dec. 26 update, the EDCC said subsequent testing had revealed additional EHV-1 positive horses. “Thirty-seven of 60 horses (at the facility) have now been tested with 16 horses confirmed positive for the equine herpesvirus-1 neurotropic strain,” the EDCC said. “Seven horses have been euthanized due to equine herpesvirus myeloencepalopathy (EHM). Clinical signs of the EHM horses included 102-105°F fevers, hind-limb ataxia, no tail tone and dribbling urine. Treatment of horses include supportive care and anti-viral therapy. “The attending veterinarian is making morning and evening rounds at the barn and evaluating fevers and clinical signs,” the statement continued. “The horse facility is still under quarantine and strict equine biosecurity in place. At this time no other horse facilities are reporting new cases in the state of Washington.”...more