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Skip Navigation LinksAll Horse Topics > Infectious Diseases > Quarantine


Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Piroplasmosis: Texas Horse Owners Urged to Check Regulations Before Hauling
A number of U.S. states and Canada have imposed movement restrictions or additional entry requirements for horses from Texas after equine piroplasmosis, a tick-transmitted blood disease of equine animals, was detected in South Texas in mid-October. Equine piroplasmosis can be carried and transmitted by as many as 15 species of ticks. Although ticks ... Read full story
 11/4/2009
Missouri Equine Piroplasmosis Outbreak 'Resolved' in OIE Report   *
A Sept. 15 report on the cases of equine piroplasmosis earlier this year in Missouri and Kansas declares the outbreak resolved. Three positive horses that were removed from quarantine remain missing. (See the report.) In June animal health officials confirmed equine piroplasmosis in Missouri after a horse formerly stabled at the Raytown Equestrian ... Read full story
 9/16/2009
Hendra Virus Safety Tips for Horse Owners Released   *
The Queensland government has released a safety alert for horse owners following several cases of Hendra virus, a rare but potentially fatal zoonotic virus that can pass from horses to humans. A veterinarian died earlier this month after treating an infected foal. Clinical signs of Hendra virus infection in horses can include rapid onset of illness, ... Read full story
 9/11/2009
Heeding Quarantine  *
Quarantine is one of the oldest infectious disease control measures. Formal use of quarantine dates back at least to the 14th century in Italy, where city officials banished people infected or exposed to people with plague ("black death") for 30 days. This was termed "trentino." Later extension of this to 40 days led to the term ... Read full story
 9/1/2009
EHV-1 Quarantine Lifted at Pennsylvania Stable  *
A quarantine at Rolling Hills Ranch stable in Bridgeville, Allegheny County, Pa., has been lifted after samples collected from all 116 horses there tested negative for the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1, or EHV-1, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff . The quarantine was established on July 20 when at least three horses tested positive ... Read full story
 8/31/2009
Horse Positive for Hendra to be Euthanized   *
Test samples taken from a horse at a Cawarral horse nursery property have come back positive, showing the horse was exposed to Hendra virus. The virus neutralization test utilized is considered the definitive test to determine whether an animal has had the virus in its system. Biosecurity Queensland acting Chief Veterinary Officer Rick Symons, BVSc, ... Read full story
 8/24/2009
Hendra: Horse Events in Area Clear to Continue, Vet Says  *
The horse community is being encouraged to continue with planned events as authorities continue to respond to the Hendra virus incident at Cawarral, near Rockhampton. Three horses on a Cawarral, Queensland, property died in late July and early August. Two of the dead horses were confirmed positive for Hendra, a potentially zoonotic virus that has only ... Read full story
 8/21/2009
Vet Hospitalized with Hendra Virus   *
A veterinarian exposed to a horse infected with Hendra virus has tested positive for the disease and is hospitalized in an induced coma, said the Australian Horse Industry Council. Three horses on a Cawarral, Queensland, property died in late July and early August. Two of the dead horses were confirmed positive for Hendra, a potentially zoonotic ... Read full story
 8/20/2009
Spike in Pigeon Fever Cases Reported in Colorado   *
Equine owners should be extra vigilant for signs of pigeon fever in their horses, according to Colorado State University veterinarians. A spike in reported cases of this infectious disease has been reported in the northern Front Range of Colorado. This highly contagious disease is also called pigeon breast, breastbone fever, false strangles, dryland ... Read full story
 8/17/2009
EHV-1 Quarantine at Pennsylvania Stable  *
Horses at Rolling Hills Ranch stable in Bridgeville, Allegheny County, Pa., have been quarantined after at least three horses tested positive for the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1, or EHV-1, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today. "Equine herpesvirus causes upper respiratory infection and can cause severe neurological disease in ... Read full story
 7/29/2009
Third Piroplasmosis Horse Reported Missing  *
A third horse that tested positive for equine piroplasmosis was illegally removed from quarantine in June, stated a report issued to the World Organization for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties, or OIE) by John Clifford, DVM, deputy administrator of the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. See the report. In June ... Read full story
 7/27/2009
Ireland's EIA Experience: What Did We Learn?   *
In 2006, Ireland was rocked by an outbreak of equine infectious anemia (EIA) that was rapidly contained by veterinarians and the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (read more). Despite their quick action, the fallout from this outbreak has been widespread. In the three years since the outbreak, veterinarians and scientists have been ... Read full story
 7/18/2009
Australia Quarantine Respiratory Disease Not Horse Flu, Vet Says  *
A number of imported horses at Australia's Eastern Creek Quarantine Station are showing signs of equine herpesvirus type-4 (EHV-4), reported Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer, Andy Carroll, BVSc (hons), MSc, Phd, Cert QA Aud. EHV-4, a respiratory form of herpesvirus, is endemic in Australia. It is not a notifiable disease and is not a quarantine ... Read full story
 7/17/2009
Simple Steps to Reduce Infectious Horse Disease Risk  *
Infectious diseases are a constant risk to the health and welfare of horses. Along with vaccination, preventive management techniques are critical to disease prevention. Horse owners should: Develop a comprehensive biosecurity plan with a veterinarian and communicate it to all employees. This plan should include disinfection of stalls, barn equipment, ... Read full story
 7/15/2009
Horse Quarantine Facility Regulations Amended  *
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending the regulations pertaining to the importation of horses to establish standards for the approval of permanent, privately owned quarantine facilities for horses. APHIS is taking this action because regional and seasonal demand for quarantine services for horses often exceeds the ... Read full story
 7/4/2009
Ontario Veterinary College Opens Isolation Unit  *
A new large animal isolation unit that sets the standard for patient housing and infection control opened May 25 at the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). Animals showing signs of infectious disease will immediately be directed to the isolation unit. These potentially infectious animals will be separated from other patients, ... Read full story
 6/16/2009
Best Biosecurity Boots, AAEP 2008   *
We're all familiar with the medical/veterinary axiom: First do no harm. A recent Colorado State University (CSU) study extended this principle to biosecurity for ambulatory veterinarians: First, don't bring any diseases into a patient's stall, and don't take any out to spread to other patients. For this study, researchers investigated the durability ... Read full story
 5/24/2009
Keeping Glanders at Bay   *
Considering that North America has been free of glanders for more than 50 years, many practitioners and horse owners are, understandably, not familiar with the clinical signs of the disease. As evidenced by the recent importation of an infected horse from Brazil to Germany (see sidebar), this unfamiliarity in countries free of the disease can make ... Read full story
 4/24/2009
African Horse Sickness: A Threat to the United States?   *
African horse sickness virus (AHSV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) are both members of the genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae. Both cause serious, noncontagious but infectious, arthropod-borne diseases in equids and ruminants, respectively. AHSV infects all equids, causing asymptomatic infection in zebra and African donkeys, but it is the most lethal ... Read full story
 4/17/2009
Strangles: Answers to Common Questions   *
Strangles is a highly contagious disease that causes horses to have swollen and painful lymph nodes that block their airway and can cause difficult breathing. The name was coined because these enlarged nodes sometimes (but rarely) suffocate affected horses. The first reported case of strangles in a horse was made in Europe in 1251 by Jordanus Ruffus. ... Read full story
 3/31/2009
Disease Risks at Shows and Events  *
Common sense and careful attention to detail can help reduce the risk of disease in your traveling horse. Just as when a bunch of people are confined to a relatively small space, such as in an office or airplane, when horses congregate in large numbers there is always the possibility of passing disease between individuals. Some events pose a higher ... Read full story
 3/1/2009
Wisconsin Friesian Stallion Positive for CEM  *
A stallion quarantined in Outagamie County, Wis., has tested positive for contagious equine metritis (CEM), a contagious but treatable reproductive disease of horses. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, reported the positive test result Monday afternoon, Jan. 12. The stallion, a 13-year-old Friesian, has been quarantined ... Read full story
 1/14/2009
Contagious Equine Metritis: Culture and Diagnosis   *
One of the most difficult problems in diagnosing contagious equine metritis (CEM) is isolating the organism from heavily contaminated sites in the stallion and mare. CEM is caused by Taylorella equigenitalis, a Gram-negative bacterium, which is found on the genitalia of mares and stallions, as are many other species of bacteria (and some fungi). When ... Read full story
 1/13/2009
EHV: Laurel Park Lifts Ban on Offsite Runners  *
As the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced earlier today that the final 20 samples from Laurel Park's barn 1 tested negative for neurologic equine herpesvirus, the Maryland Jockey Club has amended its restrictions on offsite runners racing at Laurel Park. A temporary ban on horses shipping in to the track was put into place after a ... Read full story
 11/18/2008
EHV-1 Confirmed in Laurel Park Horse; Ship-Ins Stopped   *
The Maryland Jockey Club today announced that no horses will be allowed to ship into Laurel Park, except those coming from the Bowie Training Center on a Maryland Jockey Club shuttle, until further notice. The limitations were instituted after a 2-year-old filly in Barn 1 at Laurel tested presumptive positive for equine herpesvirus type-1 on Thursday. ... Read full story
 11/14/2008
Neurologic Horse at Maryland Track Positive for Herpesvirus   *
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed today that a 2-year old filly stabled in Barn 1 at Laurel Park has tested presumptive positive for equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1). Results of confirmatory testing from the University of Kentucky are pending. The horse, which was unable to stand yesterday morning, was sitting up and eating this ... Read full story
 11/13/2008
Neurologic Horse Reported at Maryland Track; Hold Order in Place  *
Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) officials have placed an Investigational Animal Hold Order on Barn 1 at Laurel Park, after a horse stabled there began showing neurologic signs. The order restricts movement of horses currently stabled in Barn 1 at the Laurel, Md., track. According to a statement released by the MDA, none of the other horses ... Read full story
 11/12/2008
Link Between Equine Disease Outbreak and Psychological Distress Found  *
During the outbreak of equine influenza that occurred in Australia in 2007, mental health researchers identified extremely high levels of psychological distress in horse owners and other people involved in the equine industry. According to Melanie Taylor, PhD, an occupational psychologist and senior research fellow at the University of Western Sydney's ... Read full story
 11/9/2008
Brazilian Endurance Team Changes Route to Avoid Glanders Hotspot   *
The road to the FEI World Endurance Championship (WEC) will be a little longer for Brazil's six horses because of a recent case of glanders in a horse in Sao Paulo. The European Union (EU) originally refused to allow horses from Brazil to transit through Europe en route to Malaysia for the event. That decision has been modified, according to Derek ... Read full story
 10/14/2008
Glanders Case in Brazil Affects International Horse Transport  *
A case of glanders in a horse in a Sao Paulo, Brazil, has impacted international transport and competition in Brazil and abroad. Event organizers, equine transport companies, and governmental authorities are working closely together to keep horses moving while minimizing risks. A horse in a university veterinary hospital was diagnosed with glanders ... Read full story
 10/11/2008
Equine Biosecurity Risk Calculator Coming Soon   *
A new equine biosecurity risk calculator will be unveiled by Equine Guelph, in partnership with Vétoquinol Canada, at this year's Ontario Equestrian Federation Conference, Nov. 28-30. The equine biosecurity risk calculator allows horse owners to calculate the risk of infectious disease introduction or transmission associated with their current management ... Read full story
 10/10/2008
Piroplasmosis Update: 20 Positive, Tracing Exposed Horses  *
Florida agriculture officials announced Sept. 8 that 20 horses have been confirmed positive for the foreign animal disease equine piroplasmosis, but even though this might sound grim, the news isn't all bad. All of the positive horses have thus far been directly linked to one another, indicating that free-roaming insects have not played a role in ... Read full story
 9/10/2008
Quarantine Lifted at Veterinary Clinic with Hendra  *
With test results confirming that all remaining horses at a Redlands Veterinary Clinic are free from Hendra virus, Biosecurity officials in the Australian state of Queensland have lifted the stringent quarantine that was imposed seven weeks ago. The Redlands Veterinary Clinic was quarantined July 7 after it reported an unusual disease event in horses ... Read full story
 8/26/2008
Vet Preparations in Progress for World Equestrian Games   *
While the attention of most equine enthusiasts was turned to Hong Kong for the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games, preparations were well under way for the next major international equine competition: the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). The World Equestrian Games are the championships of the eight equestrian ... Read full story
 8/26/2008
Equine Veterinarian Dies of Hendra Virus   *
One of the two equine hospital staff workers hospitalized with Hendra virus in Australia has died. Veterinarian Ben Cunneen, BVSc, died Wednesday. He had contracted Hendra virus from a horse hospitalized at the Redlands Veterinary Clinic on the outskirts of the city of Brisbane in the state of Queensland. A nurse and another veterinarian have also ... Read full story
 8/21/2008
Foreign Disease Equine Piroplasmosis Found in Five Florida Horses  *
Equine piroplasmosis was eradicated officially from Florida (and, thereby, the United States) in 1988. So it came as a shock to many people in the equine industry to hear that a horse in Florida was confirmed positive for the disease last week. Now animal health officials are working to trace the source of this disease flare-up and contain it. According ... Read full story
 8/20/2008
Four More Florida Horses Positive for Piroplasmosis  *
From a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Animal Industry release: Testing performed on samples from horses on the index premises in Manatee County, Fla., have indicated that four additional horses on the premises are infected with the organism that causes equine piroplasmosis (EP). Read more about piroplasmosis ... Read full story
 8/19/2008
Queensland to Provide Assistance for Vet Clinic Hit by Hendra  *
An Australian veterinary practice that has been locked down due to several cases of Hendra virus will receive financial assistance through the Australian Veterinary Association following a meeting between Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin and the clinic owner. A one-off payment will be given to the Australian Veterinary Association ... Read full story
 8/13/2008
ACVIM Forum: 10 Years of Infection Control   *
After 10 years as Director of Biosecurity at Colorado State's large animal hospital, Paul Morley, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, recently relayed some of the key lessons he and his colleagues have learned while developing the school's biosecurity program. Morley's presentation at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum, held June ... Read full story
 7/19/2008
Two Vet Clinic Workers Positive for Hendra Virus  *
Two of the people exposed to horses infected with Hendra virus at Redlands Veterinary Clinic in the Australian state of Queensland have contracted the zoonotic disease, according to a report published by The Australian. Three horses at the clinic were found to be infected with the virus earlier this month. Of these, two died and one recovered. The ... Read full story
 7/18/2008
Researchers Explore Mysteries of Equine Herpesvirus-1 Shedding   *
While it's widely hypothesized that horses shed equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) during times of stress and illness, researchers on a new study say that critically ill horses with acute gastrointestinal disease (colic or colitis) in a veterinary hospital do not appear to shed the virus. According to Elizabeth Carr, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC, assistant ... Read full story
 7/15/2008
Hendra Testing Continues on Horses at Australian Vet Clinic  *
Biosecurity Queensland continued with tests on samples from 37 horses at a Brisbane area vet practice today while working with Queensland Health and various horse industry groups to ensure that the risks involved with Hendra virus are widely known. "There is a quarantine, but it is only at the veterinary clinic where the sick horses were located," ... Read full story
 7/9/2008
Hendra Virus: Neurologic Variant Confirmed, Clinic Staff Exposed   *
Three horses have tested positive for Hendra virus at Redlands Veterinary Clinic on the outskirts of the city of Brisbane in the Australian state of Queensland. Hendra virus is deadly and can affect both horses and humans. According to David Lovell, BVSc, MACVSC, QDAH, GCM, principal and founding partner of the Redlands Veterinary Clinic, two of ... Read full story
 7/9/2008
Hendra Virus Reported at Australian Equine Clinic   *
Three horses have tested positive for the deadly Hendra virus at a veterinary practice on the outskirts of the city of Brisbane in the Australian state of Queensland. This virus can affect both horses and humans. "We are taking the situation seriously with biosecurity inspectors moving quickly to quarantine the practice and establish thorough disinfection ... Read full story
 7/8/2008
CDC Study: Equine Practitioner Hygiene Could Use Improvement   *
In a multi-institutional study coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers found that many veterinarians do not consistently engage in behaviors or practices that are widely deemed protective against the spread and transmission of zoonotic diseases. Emerging infectious diseases are those that have appeared in ... Read full story
 7/2/2008
Commentary: Diagnostic Laboratories a Key Component of Equine Health   *
This issue of The Quarterly contains several articles on diseases of horses that run the gamut of conditions. These diseases include an infectious neurologic disease in adult horses that only a few years ago appeared for the first time in this country, a viral infection of mares that causes abortions, and a type of cancer in mares. One constant is ... Read full story
 7/2/2008
New South Wales to Deactivate Equine Flu Outbreak Precautions  *
Precautionary measures retained in New South Wales (NSW) since the eradication of equine influenza was confirmed in February will end at midnight on June 30. From July 1 an official Traveling Horse Statement will not be required before moving horses, the remaining green zone will revert to white, and all equine influenza (EI) cross-border requirements ... Read full story
 6/25/2008
CEM Rule Amended for Entertainment Horses  *
The USDA has amended its import rules to allow noncompetitive entertainment horses to be temporarily brought into the U.S. from countries affected with contagious equine metritis (CEM), a venereal disease of horses. The final rule, titled "Temporary Importation of Horses: Noncompetitive Entertainment Horses From Countries Affected with Contagious Equine ... Read full story
 6/25/2008
Strangles Reported at Florida Standardbred Track  *
One case of strangles was confirmed June 4 in the stable area at Pompano Park Harness Track in Pompano Beach, Fla. Live harness racing will continue as scheduled at the facility. Track management, in working with animal health officials from the state of Florida and the USDA, has quarantined special areas of the backstretch and is issuing biosafety ... Read full story
 6/8/2008
Biosecurity on the Farm  *
Disease can come home with you in exposed horses, on your equipment, and even on your skin and clothing. Here’s how to avoid these scenarios and keep your horses healthy. Reducing the risk and frequency of contagious disease outbreaks can be a challenge, but the horse owner can do a few things to help control introduction or spread of diseases on ... Read full story
 6/1/2008
Indiana Horse Owners Warned of Infectious Anemia Risk  *
Horse owners and veterinarians are being asked to watch their animals closely for any unusual clinical signs, in light of a cluster of recent positive cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA). According to Tim Bartlett, DVM, director of equine programs for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, three horses on a south-central Indiana farm have ... Read full story
 5/29/2008
Canadian Groups to Hold Biosecurity and Risk Management of Horse Farms Seminar  *
Learn how to protect your horse by managing health and reducing risks on your farm. Equine Guelph and the Ontario Veterinary College's (OVC) teaching hospital are co-sponsoring a seminar on Tuesday, April 22, covering biosecurity and risk management, the role of vaccines, and an update on equine herpesvirus concerns. A question/answer session is ... Read full story
 4/19/2008
EHV: Murray State Barns Remain Quarantined, No Clinical Signs Reported   *
As of April 14, a horse that had shown clinical signs consistent with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis while stabled at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., remains in guarded condition at a referral hospital in Lexington. Samples collected from the animal were submitted to the University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center, where ... Read full story
 4/15/2008
Equine Herpesvirus Outbreak: WCVM Resumes Clinical Services   *
Based on the results of diagnostic tests, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan has resumed all regular clinical services for equine patients at its Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The decision, which took effect at 6:00 p.m. on April 11, ends a 29-day suspension of nonemergency equine admissions to control ... Read full story
 4/14/2008
International Equine Disease Report Fourth Quarter 2007   *
The International Collating Centre, Newmarket, England, and other sources reported the following disease outbreaks: A clinically severe outbreak of atypical myoglobinuria/myopathy (AM) was diagnosed among eight non-Thoroughbred horses on three premises in Switzerland. AM is a frequently fatal disease of grazing horses. Its etiology is unknown. It ... Read full story
 4/6/2008
New Zealand Tests Imports for Equine Flu  *
New Zealand biosecurity officials are retesting samples taken from horses imported directly from the United States to the Karaka quarantine facility due to conflicting test results that indicate the presence of equine influenza, the Sportsman of Australia has reported. The racing and sports newspaper said 10 horses imported from the U.S. in late ... Read full story
 4/4/2008
Australia Equine Flu Inquiry Wraps Up  *
Leaders of an inquiry into Australia's billion-dollar equine influenza outbreak finished taking evidence Thursday after five months and testimony from 200 witnesses. Former High Court judge Ian Callinan, who will issue his report by April 25, heard evidence from senior personnel at the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, which was criticized ... Read full story
 4/3/2008
Canadian Vet School Recommends Precautions to Prevent Spread of EHV-1  *
As a precautionary measure, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Large Animal Clinic at the University of Saskatchewan is not accepting any nonemergency equine patients to control risks related to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection. The school suspended its equine clinical services following admission of two local horses that proved to ... Read full story
 3/22/2008
West Virginia Track Barn Quarantined  *
A barn at Charles Town Races & Slots was placed under quarantine March 10 after a local veterinarian reported he was treating a 4-year-old filly for neurological signs of an unknown origin. Live racing and training at the West Virginia facility have been suspended through the evening of March 13 pending test results on the sick horse, the West ... Read full story
 3/12/2008
Investigating Foreign Animal Diseases   *
Surveillance for and the investigation of suspected foreign animal diseases is a high priority for state and federal animal health regulatory officials, because the movement of animals and animal products, including semen and embryos, in international commerce could introduce disease and pests into our domestic animal populations. The introduction ... Read full story
 12/30/2007
Commentary: Equine Quarantine Increasingly Important   *
Epidemics of equine influenza in Japan and Australia during the summer of 2007 have raised questions regarding the failure of quarantine and influenza vaccination to control the spread of disease. Expanding and increasingly mobile equine populations have changed the dynamics of equine infectious disease. For example, an increased number of Thoroughbred ... Read full story
 12/28/2007
Australia Flu Inquiry: Groom Says Officials Not Concerned by Sick Horse   *
The outbreak of equine influenza in Australia came about from an apparent lack of concern about horses with elevated temperatures and poor record keeping, according to a groom who worked at the Eastern Creek quarantine facility. The cost of the influenza outbreak in New South Wales and Queensland is estimated to be about Aus$3.94 million a day, according ... Read full story
 11/26/2007
Quarantine Protocol Under Fire in Australian Flu Inquiry   *
Three months after Australia's first-ever outbreak of equine influenza, an independent inquiry into the history and management of the outbreak is uncovering troubling flaws in the government's quarantine procedures, according to recently published inquiry transcripts. Ignored warnings, procrastinated meetings, absent work instructions, and a lack ... Read full story
 11/18/2007
Australian Authorities Begin Influenza Inquiry   *
The independent inquiry into the Australian outbreak of equine influenza is underway. Judge Ian Callinan, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, is heading up the probe. James Gilkerson, BVSc, BSc(Vet) Hons, PhD, president of Equine Veterinarians Australia and head of the infectious disease laboratory at the University of Melbourne, on Tuesday ... Read full story
 11/14/2007
Good Hygiene Blocks Horse-Human MRSA Transmission  *
Equine veterinarians and public health officials are urging horse owners and others who come in frequent contact with horses to wash their hands and clean grooming tools after each use in order to reduce the risk of contracting an antibiotic-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus known as MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus). The pathogen--blamed ... Read full story
 11/1/2007
Equine Flu: Australia Sets Interim Importation Requirements   *
As equine influenza (EI) continues its spread through the infected areas of New South Wales and Queensland, Australian officials have ramped up the quarantine requirements for horses imported into the country. According to updates released by Australia's Horse Industry Council, the first suspected case of EI was detected at Eastern Creek Quarantine ... Read full story
 10/16/2007
Infection Protection: It's Not Just About Vaccinations Anymore   *
At the AAEP's Healthy Horse Workshop in Ft. Collins, Colo., on July 28, Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, of Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, shared her thoughts on control of infectious disease. She stressed that horse people are very positive and more likely to think they've got the next winner ... Read full story
 10/10/2007
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A Review  *
Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium and an important cause of disease in many species. Approximately 10% of healthy horses carry S. aureus in their noses. This occurrence is termed "colonization," as the bacteria are present without causing any problems. A smaller number are colonized in the intestinal tract or on the skin. S. aureus is an ... Read full story
 10/8/2007
Australian Flu Cases Contained to Movement-Restricted Areas  *
The president of Equine Veterinarians Australia painted a picture of cautious optimism today at the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland, that equine influenza--even while it continues to be detected on new premises--appears to have been contained to the equine movement-restricted areas of New South Wales (NSW) ... Read full story
 9/15/2007
No Equine Flu in New Zealand, Tests Show  *
New Zealand has been found to be clear of equine influenza after blood tests taken from horses recently arrived from Australia proved negative, Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) said Tuesday. BNZ carried out tests on all horses which had arrived in New Zealand from Australia since Aug. 1, giving priority to horses which had landed in the last 10 days ... Read full story
 9/4/2007
Number of EI-Infected Horses Continues to Grow  *
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries said 835 horses on 119 properties across the state were infected with equine influenza (EI) as of Sept. 3, with another 2,900 horses on 319 additional properties considered suspect of having EI. The good news is tracing procedures have accounted for each infected property, deputy chief veterinary ... Read full story
 9/4/2007
Preparation Key in Controlling Infectious Disease Outbreaks  *
Effective outbreak management is implemented before a single horse gets sick, according to Mary Scollay, DVM, track veterinarian at Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park racetrack in Florida. Scollay advocated having a plan in place and tailoring that plan to the particular disease situation as needed, in her presentation at the 52nd annual American ... Read full story
 7/15/2007
Arming the Fight Against Resistant Bacteria  *
In 1928, Alexander Fleming opened the door to treating bacterial infections when he stumbled upon the first known antibiotic in a Penicillium mold growing in a discarded experiment. Nearly eight decades later, chemist Helen Blackwell, PhD, and her research team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have devised a more deliberate method to tackle ... Read full story
 5/8/2007
Monday's Florida EHV-1 Status Report  *
The following edited release is from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services' Division of Animal Industry. Equine Herpesvirus-1 Status Report--Florida Revised December 25, 2006, at 12:30 pm Nine cases of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) have been confirmed with laboratory testing from horses, seven in the Wellington area, one in ... Read full story
 12/26/2006
Florida Equine Neurologic Outbreak: Tip of the Iceberg?   *
The source of the current outbreak of neurologic illness in Wellington, Fla., has been traced back to a shipment of 15 horses imported from Europe the last week of November. The horses were housed together at a quarantine facility in New York. One of the 15 died after being shipped to California and was diagnosed with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). ... Read full story
 12/15/2006
Colorado State Veterinary Teaching Hospital Implements Precautionary Suspension of Elective Equine Admissions  *
Effective Oct. 31, elective equine admissions at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to control risks related to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The suspension is in response to the late evening confirmation of EHV-1 affecting two horses at the hospital that ... Read full story
 11/8/2006
New Jersey Imposes Quarantine on More Than 1,000 Monmouth Park Horses   *
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture issued a quarantine Oct. 26 on more than 1,000 horses at Monmouth Park in the wake of positive test results on at least one horse for the neuropathogenic strain of the equine herpes virus. At least four horses have been tested over the past several days after they began exhibiting fevers. Those four, and other ... Read full story
 10/27/2006
Churchill Readies Breeders' Cup Quarantine Facilities  *
Churchill Downs is putting the finishing touches on quarantine and isolation facilities that will house foreign participants set to compete in the 23rd Breeders' Cup World Championships at the historic track. The Breeders' Cup, which features eight championship races with a record $20 million in total purses, will make a record sixth stop at Churchill ... Read full story
 10/22/2006
Maryland Considers Animal Quarantine Facility  *
The Maryland Department of Agriculture received a $42,500 USDA grant on Friday (July 14) to conduct a feasibility study for an animal quarantine facility in proximity to Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Such a facility would improve the business climate for international shipments of livestock to and from the Mid-Atlantic Region. ... Read full story
 7/17/2006
West Virginia Tracks Issue Embargo on Horses from Ohio Farm  *
A suspected case of neurologic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) has led two West Virginia racetracks to issue an embargo on any horses from a horse farm in Ohio. According to the Wheeling (West Virginia) Intelligencer, officials at Mountaineer Park and Charles Town Races issued the embargo on horses from the Lonnie Stokes farm near Carrollton, Ohio, after ... Read full story
 5/15/2006
Final Kentucky Track Quarantine Ends   *
Equine herpesvirus quarantines at two Kentucky Thoroughbred facilities have been released, ending the recent outbreak of the neurologic disease. Robert Stout, DVM, Kentucky state veterinarian, lifted the quarantine at Turfway Park in Florence on Feb. 2, and removed the quarantine at the Western Kentucky Training Center in Henderson on Feb. 3. Officials ... Read full story
 4/1/2006
NYRA to Accept Maryland Shippers March 18  *
(Edited press release) The New York Racing Association will allow horses to ship into its racetracks--Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga--from Maryland beginning March 18, providing those horses meet certain requirements.NYRA had banned horses from shipping in from Laurel, Pimlico, and Bowie because of reported cases of equine herpesvirus-1. Maryland ... Read full story
 3/11/2006
Kentucky Updates Restrictions on Maryland Horses  *
(Edited press release) Officials from the Kentucky's Office of the State Veterinarian announced Thursday (March 9) that they have removed restrictions on horses originating from Chevation II, a barn at Fair Hills Training Center in Maryland that had logged cases of equine herpesvirus-1. All horses in that barn have tested negative for EHV-1 using ... Read full story
 3/11/2006
Remaining EHV-1 Quarantines Lifted at Pimlico and Bowie  *
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has lifted hold orders on the detention barn at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and a barn at the Bowie Training Center in Bowie after the final four horses in those barns tested negative for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) on nested polymerase chain reaction tests. "These negative tests bring this EHV-1 outbreak ... Read full story
 3/8/2006
Hold Order Lifted on Kent County Farm  *
Seventeen horses on a Kent County, Md., farm tested negative for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) on March 3, resulting in the March 4 removal of a Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) hold order that had prevented equine transport to and from the facility. The hold order was enacted on Jan. 26, when the first of two horses at the farm were euthanatized ... Read full story
 3/6/2006
Hold Order Lifted at Laurel Park  *
(edited press release) The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) released its hold order on Laurel Park's Barn 9 on Friday, March 3, which means 34 horses that tested negative for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) at the Laurel, Md., facility were permitted to return to their normal training and racing activities. Two additional horses in the barn that ... Read full story
 3/6/2006
Maryland EHV-1 Outbreaks Winding Down  *
Veterinarians suspect the recent deadly outbreaks of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in Maryland have subsided. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reported EHV-1 outbreaks at two Maryland tracks, a race training facility, and a private sport horse boarding farm in Kent County. The last new neurologic sign of the disease in the state was detected ... Read full story
 3/2/2006
Equine Herpesvirus Test Pending on Philly Park Horse  *
Officials at Philadelphia Park are awaiting test results from a horse that was euthanatized Feb. 23 to determine whether it had equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Kari Oakie, a 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly trained by Armand Correnti, fell during training hours at Philly Park and was euthanatized with a suspected spinal cord injury. Before she was euthanatized, ... Read full story
 3/2/2006
Herpesvirus in Five States   *
T he neurologic form of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) has been diagnosed in at least five different states in January and February (The Horse learned of a fifth state with herpes after the cover went to press). While many of the cases were detected at racetracks, it is important to note that this not a disease limited to the racing industry--any ... Read full story
 3/1/2006
Horse at Fair Hill Training Center Positive for EHV-1  *
Maryland officials reported today (Feb. 15) that a horse which tested positive for equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) at Fair Hill Training Center in Cecil County, Md., last week, has recovered from its fever and has shown no signs of neurologic illness. Test results on samples taken on Monday from horses that share a barn with the infected horse should ... Read full story
 2/15/2006
Kentucky Equine Restrictions - EHV Affected Areas  *
While we are confident that the situation at both Turfway Park and the Western Kentucky Training Center have been satisfactorily resolved; we remain concerned over the apparent spread of equine herpes virus from Pimlico to other racetracks, training facilities and private farms in the Northeastern United States. With these concerns, Kentucky's State ... Read full story
 2/10/2006
Final Kentucky Racetrack Released From Quarantine  *
Equine herpesvirus quarantines at two Kentucky Thoroughbred facilities were released, ending the recent outbreak of the neurologic disease. Robert Stout, DVM, Kentucky state veterinarian, lifted the quarantine at Turfway Park in Florence on Feb. 2, and removed the quarantine at the Western Kentucky Training Center in Henderson on Feb. 3. The tracks ... Read full story
 2/8/2006
Michigan Veterinarian Describes Neurologic Herpes Case  *
A 3-year-old Standardbred mare suffering from signs of neurologic disease tested positive for equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) and was euthanatized at the Allegan County Fairgrounds in Allegan, Mich., on Jan. 18. The horse had been shipped in from Canada to train at the harness racing training facility. Two of the fairgrounds' barns were quarantined ... Read full story
 2/8/2006
Pimlico Quarantine Lifted   *
The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) lifted its self-imposed quarantine on Pimlico Race Course this morning (Feb. 8), allowing horses from the Baltimore track to compete at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., for the first time since Jan. 21. Twelve Pimlico-based horses ran on today's card at Laurel,and five of the nine races featured Pimlico horses. The MJC quarantined ... Read full story
 2/8/2006
Second Neurologic Horse Euthanatized on Maryland Farm   *
A competitive event horse that began showing neurologic signs of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) last Thursday (Feb. 2) was euthanatized on Sunday (Feb. 5) after a rapid decline in health. The mare is the second horse to be euthanatized on the private Kent County farm that received a horse from Pimlico Race Course on Jan. 10 before track officials ... Read full story
 2/8/2006
Second Laurel Park Horse Tests Positive For Equine Herpes  *
The Maryland Department of Agriculture confirmed today that a second horse, Hey Ralphy, a filly trained by Rodney Jenkins at Laurel Park, was infected with equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1). The 3-year-old was euthanatized on Jan. 26 with a suspected pelvic injury. A hold order has been placed on Barn 9 at the central Maryland track. Jenkins has elected ... Read full story
 1/31/2006
Herpesvirus Detected at Laurel Park   *
Equine herpesvirus has been confirmed in a horse stabled at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., says an Associated Press story on www.bloodhorse.com (http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=31893). The disease has led to the euthanasia of two horses at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., and a full quarantine of that track, which is about 25 miles ... Read full story
 1/25/2006
Restrictions Lifted on Most Lead Ponies, Outrider Horses at Turfway Park  *
All but one of the workhorses quarantined at Turfway Park have been cleared to return to the track on Tuesday (Jan. 24) after testing negative for equine herpesvirus. Robert Stout, DVM, Kentucky state veterinarian, rescinded the restrictions on all but one of the 32 lead ponies and outrider horses. Testing found that the animals showed no signs of ... Read full story
 1/24/2006
Trainers Worry Pimlico Quarantine is Too Late  *
The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) has stepped up its fight against the equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) with a quarantine of the entire Pimlico Race Course stable area, but some trainers worry the move may have come too late. "I don't know how much relief I feel," said Laurel-based trainer Dale Capuano. "My thought is, 'It's about time.'" EHV-1 first ... Read full story
 1/23/2006
Herpesvirus Causes Maryland Jockey Club Quarantine of Pimlico Race Course  *
The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) placed a quarantine on Pimlico Race Course effective after racing ended on Jan. 21 until further notice because of the neurologic equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) situation at the Baltimore track. Since the new year, 11 horses have shown clinical signs of the virus, causing the Maryland Department of Agriculture to ... Read full story
 1/23/2006
Turfway Park's Barn 26 Released from Quarantine  *
The 48 horses stabled in Barn 26 at Turfway Park in Boone County, Ky., were released Jan. 19 from quarantine. Horses in Barns 26 and 27 were quarantined following a Dec. 21, 2005, outbreak of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) at the track, according to Rusty Ford of the Kentucky state veterinarian's office. He said horses in Barn 26 were released from ... Read full story
 1/20/2006
Cornell Researcher Answers More Questions on Herpesvirus  *
The Horse continues to discuss equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) with scientists who have been researching the disease. Klaus Osterrieder, DVM, DVM Habilitation (German equivalent to a PhD), is associate professor of virology in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He shared his views on the current situation with ... Read full story
 1/12/2006
Other States Act to Combat Spread of Virus  *
As surrounding states took steps to protect their racetracks from Maryland horses that could be carriers of the equine herpesvirus, Maryland Jockey Club racing secretary Georganne Hale was looking for positives anywhere she could find them. "This thing has everyone scared," Hale said Jan. 10 after a morning meeting at which state officials confirmed ... Read full story
 1/11/2006
Neurologic Equine Herpesvirus Q&A  *
It isn't just our imagination--we have been hearing about more neurologic equine herpesvirus outbreaks in the past several years than we were aware of previously. The current outbreaks in Kentucky and Maryland bring the disease back to the forefront, and there are many questions that horse owners, trainers, and even veterinarians have about the illness ... Read full story
 1/11/2006
Herpesvirus Still Circulating At Turfway Park  *
Results received yesterday (Jan. 4) showed that three additional horses were positive for equine herpesvirus and two were "suspect" for the virus at barns quarantined at Turfway Park in northern Kentucky, according to Rusty Ford of the Kentucky state veterinarian's office. One positive horse is showing signs of viral infection. Ford said PCR assays ... Read full story
 1/5/2006
Re-Testing At Turfway Tonight  *
Horses in Barn 26 at Turfway Park will be re-tested this evening for evidence of equine herpesvirus to determine if any other horses are positive for the virus, said Rusty Ford of the Kentucky State Veterinarian's office. Results are expected this weekend. One horse in that barn was euthanatized due to neurologic signs of equine herpesvirus, and another ... Read full story
 12/28/2005
Turfway Initiates Steps to Safeguard Against Spread of Equine Herpes  *
Barn 26, a 50-horse barn at Turfway Park, remains under quarantine after a 3-year-old filly who tested positive for the equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) was euthanized on Friday (Dec. 23). The Chuck Simon-trained filly, Coupe Aux Marrons, began exhibiting signs of the neurological disease last week and was shipped from Turfway to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute ... Read full story
 12/27/2005
Vesicular Stomatitis Now in Five States   *
Montana and Wyoming have joined the list of states affected by vesicular stomatitis; cases were announced in mid-August in both states. They have 17 and 21 affected premises, respectively. Utah tops the list of the states with the most premises under quarantine--as of Aug. 28, the state had 78 premises, with 56 premises on a 21-day countdown for ... Read full story
 10/1/2005
Anthrax Flares Continue   *
Livestock anthrax cases are dispersed over Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and southern Manitoba, Canada. North Dakota is having a record year, with more than 300 cases since early July. Minnesota has reported five anthrax premises in three counties since mid-July, with 21 animals dead as of Aug. 26. No horses were lost due to the disease. ... Read full story
 10/1/2005
Anthrax in North Dakota  *
Eleven premises in southeastern North Dakota have had confirmed cases of anthrax this year in bison, cattle, and horses as of July 14. It's not uncommon to find anthrax in the state annually, but Beth Carlson, DVM, deputy state veterinarian for the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health, says there seem to be a few more cases this year. She recommends ... Read full story
 7/15/2005
Kentucky Officials Extend VS Embargo  *
According to a July 12 memo from Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert Stout, DVM, officials have extended Kentucky's vesicular stomatitis (VS) embargo to include Sandoval and Santa Fe Counties in New Mexico, and San Juan and Uintah Counties in Utah. All livestock (including equines), wild, and exotic animals are currently prohibited from entry into ... Read full story
 7/13/2005
Strangles Identified in Horse at Ellis Park  *
A 4-year-old filly stabled at Ellis Park in Henderson County, Kentucky, has been diagnosed with strangles. Rusty Ford, equine programs manager for the office of the state veterinarian, said the filly presented June 30 with an elevated body temperature and has since been removed from the grounds and taken to a private quarantine facility near Lexington. The ... Read full story
 7/7/2005
Methicillin-Resistant Staph Bacteria Passed From Humans to Horses  *
"What do animal diseases have to do with people?" posed Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl. ACVIM, an associate professor at the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College. "We are just one big global population with subsets," he answered. Weese discussed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a multi-drug-resistant bacterium that affects ... Read full story
 6/27/2005
MRSA Surveillance in Horses at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital  *
Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) upon arrival to a veterinary hospital is useful for detecting cases of the "superbug" early so affected horses can be isolated, said Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl. ACVIM, an associate professor at the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). This practice reduces the chance ... Read full story
 6/27/2005
Hold Order Lifted at Maryland Horse Facility  *
On Saturday, June 11, at 3:30 p.m. the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) lifted the "Animal Hold Order" at the Columbia, Md. horse facility that has been handling a neurologic equine herpesvirus situation since late March. The lifting of the hold order allows the facility to resume normal business operations. "The farm managers, private veterinarians, ... Read full story
 6/15/2005
Preakness Runners Not Affected by Churchill EHV Quarantine  *
Churchill Downs and Kentucky veterinary officials are segregating horses because of a possible outbreak of an equine respiratory virus in three barns, but no horses entered in Saturday's Preakness Stakes (gr. I) are affected. Rusty Ford of the Kentucky State Veterinarian's Office told The Blood-Horse Tuesday night an "indication" of equine herpesvirus ... Read full story
 5/18/2005
Three Barns Quarantined for EHV at Churchill Downs  *
The Blood-Horse and The Horse have learned that three barns at Churchill Downs have been put under quarantine because of a possible outbreak of an equine viral respiratory disease. Rusty Ford of the Kentucky State Veterinarian's Office confirmed Tuesday night an "indication" of equine herpesvirus as the reason for the quarantine and said he was awaiting ... Read full story
 5/17/2005
Vesicular Stomatitis Detected in Arizona  *
Vesicular stomatitis (VS) has been detected in a horse on a premises in Maricopa County, Ariz. (Maricopa County is located in the south-central portion of the state and is home to Phoenix.) The owner of the 5-year-old gelding reported that the animal was purchased about three weeks ago. Sores appeared in the horse's mouth in mid-April, and tests run ... Read full story
 5/3/2005
One Additional Horse Shows Neurologic Signs in Maryland EHV-1 Situation  *
(edited press release) During the week of April 11, one additional horse displayed acute neurologic signs consistent with the equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) disease situation at the Columbia Horse Center in Columbia, Md. The horse, which was euthanatized, was located in the same barn as the others. Diagnostic tests are underway to confirm cause ... Read full story
 4/18/2005
Additional Horse at Maryland Farm Shows Signs of EHV-1  *
(edited from press release) Facility managers who are handling a neurologic equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) incident at a Columbia, Md. horse stable (Columbia Horse Center, CHC; read archived stories) reported April 7 that an additional horse was showing clinical signs similar to those displayed by the five previously reported cases. Three of those ... Read full story
 4/8/2005
Equine Herpesvirus Type-1 Confirmed in Maryland  *
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) received confirmation yesterday (April 5) that equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) was the cause of equine illness at the Columbia Horse Center in Columbia, Md. The virus, which causes upper respiratory infection, can also cause neurologic disease. Three horses experienced neurologic signs before their conditions ... Read full story
 4/6/2005
Veterinarian Describes Maryland Disease Cases; Officials Rule Out Rabies  *
Three horses succumbed to neurologic illness and were euthanatized at the Columbia Horse Center (CHC) in Columbia, Md., last week, according to the animals' attending veterinarian. Two more horses at the facility developed signs of the yet-unidentified disease, but are recuperating well, he added. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reported ... Read full story
 3/31/2005
California Strangles Outbreak; At Least 60 Horses Affected  *
A strangles outbreak has placed a boarding stable in northern Los Angeles County, Calif., under quarantine, and more than 60 horses at the farm remain under close observation. The outbreak of the highly contagious upper respiratory disease caused by the Streptococcus equi bacterium flared up at the stable in November 2004, and the L.A. County Department ... Read full story
 3/30/2005
Strangles Report Shows Decline in Cases at Trackside  *
According to a second round of tests on quarantined horses, the number of confirmed cases of strangles has declined and there is no evidence that the disease has spread at Churchill Downs' Trackside Louisville training center in Louisville, Ky. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported on March 23 that the tests performed on 49 horses--including ... Read full story
 3/24/2005
Precautions Taken After Trackside Strangles Case  *
Churchill Downs is taking precautionary measures at its Trackside training facility in Louisville, Ky., after a Thoroughbred racehorse was diagnosed with strangles, a contagious bacterial disease. Rumors began circulating the weekend of March 12, but John Asher, vice president of communications for Churchill Downs, said the disease was confirmed in ... Read full story
 3/14/2005
EHV-1 Cases in Eastern Canada  *
Three Standardbred racehorses in Nova Scotia have been euthanatized due to the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus type-1, and at least one other horse was suspected to have the illness. Two of the horses that were euthanatized and the suspected case were detected at the Truro Raceway in central Nova Scotia. The third horse that was euthanatized ... Read full story
 2/25/2005
Strangles Guidelines Released to Public  *
The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) recently released its consensus statement on guidelines for treatment, control, and prevention of strangles, which is caused by Streptococcus equi. The 12-page paper took about a year to complete and reflects the input of researchers and veterinary clinicians across the country. The document ... Read full story
 2/24/2005
Neurologic Equine Herpesvirus Case Euthanatized at Pennsylvania Harness Track  *
A Standardbred mare euthanatized last Friday (Feb. 18) at the Meadows racetrack in Meadowlands, Pa., had the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus type-1 infection, according to University of Pennsylvania veterinarians. The barn where the mare was stabled has been placed under quarantine and veterinarians and trainers are watching other horses at the ... Read full story
 2/23/2005
Michigan Officials Requiring EHV Vaccination  *
Officials from Michigan's Office of Racing Commissioner (ORC) are requiring all horses entering any of seven licensed pari-mutuel facilities in the state be vaccinated for equine herpesvirus (EHV), in an effort to keep the virus confined to Northville Downs, where it has been detected in four horses. Three of those horses had to be euthanatized because ... Read full story
 2/15/2005
Piroplasmosis Testing   *
Piroplasmosis is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by one of two parasites, Babesia equi or Babesia caballi, which attack and destroy red blood cells in horses. The mortality rate can be as high as 20% among susceptible animals. Recovered horses become chronic carriers without clinical signs. The only treatment (a type of chemotherapy) is not ... Read full story
 2/1/2005
NAHMS to Study Equine Industry in 2005  *
The USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) will be conducting an Equine 2005 study, which will examine equine events and on-farm health management factors as they relate to the control of equine infectious diseases. NAHMS conducts national studies on the health and management of America's domestic livestock populations. In 1998, ... Read full story
 1/18/2005
U.K. Equine Viral Arteritis Restrictions Lifted  *
The stallion that tested positive for equine viral arteritis (EVA) has been returned to its country of origin and restrictions on the quarantine premises where it was being kept have now been lifted. The horse, which had been imported into the United Kingdom, had already been in quarantine in the Newmarket area of Suffolk in anticipation of onward ... Read full story
 1/14/2005
Equine Viral Arteritis Detected in Suffolk, U.K.  *
The United Kingdom's Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced Dec. 17 that it imposed restrictions on Oct. 29 on a 5-year-old stallion on a premises in the Newmarket area of Suffolk following a positive blood test result for equine viral arteritis (EVA). The horse's semen was tested, the outcome of which was also positive. The ... Read full story
 12/17/2004
Quarantine Lifted at Kentucky Harness Track  *
Standardbred racehorse owners got a scare last week when officials quarantined three barns of horses at the Red Mile, a harness track in Lexington, Ky, because of serologic test results that suggested a horse might have had equine infectious anemia (EIA). That quarantine was brief, however, as further tests indicated that the horse was not suffering ... Read full story
 10/15/2004
Atlanta Equine Import-Export Complex to be Closed  *
The American Horse Council (AHC) has been informed that effective Nov. 5, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will close the Atlanta Equine Complex, which has served as an export-import facility for horses. According to reports, all exports that have been accepted at the facility through Oct. 30 will continue to be served. If a facility ... Read full story
 9/21/2004
Control of Infectious Diseases in Vet Hospitals  *
Infectious disease outbreaks that occur in veterinary hospitals (nosocomial outbreaks) can present an overwhelming challenge to veterinary personnel, and they are often events that incite a greater awareness and concern for routine infection control efforts. Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, professor of equine medicine at Colorado State University's ... Read full story
 9/13/2004
Kentucky Embargoes and Bans Extended, Revised   *
In response to the detection of vesicular stomatitis (VS), Kentucky officials have prohibited entry of horses and some other species into Kentucky from Colorado, New Mexico, and part of Texas. (New Mexico had horses on 35 premises under VS quarantine on August 2; read about Colorado's cases above.) Special documentation and proof of a negative VS test ... Read full story
 9/1/2004
VS Regulation Planning Continues   *
Nine premises remain under quarantine in Texas due to vesicular stomatitis (VS), says Max Coats, DVM, MSc, deputy director for Animal Health Programs for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). In mid-July, the TAHC, Breeders' Cup, and other parties received the USDA's draft of VS guidelines related to Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, for ... Read full story
 9/1/2004
Biosecurity in a Large Animal Hospital  *
The veterinary profession--like human medicine--is placing new emphasis on infectious disease prevention in patient facilities. Bradford P. Smith, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, discussed this topic at the American College of Veterinary Medicine (ACVIM) conference in June on behalf of his co-author colleagues John K. House, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM; K. Gary Magdesian, ... Read full story
 8/27/2004
Vesicular Stomatitis Regulation Planning Continues  *
Nine premises remain under quarantine in Texas due to vesicular stomatitis (VS), according to Max Coats, DVM, MSc, deputy director for Animal Health Programs for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). On July 13, Breeders' Cup, the TAHC, and other parties received the USDA's draft of guidelines related to VS and Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, ... Read full story
 7/26/2004
Emergency Vesicular Stomatitis Rules  *
Following are summaries of the emergency rules that are in effect currently in Florida and Kentucky, due to the outbreak of VS in New Mexico and Texas. Visit the web sites listed to read the exact wording of the restrictions. Florida(Effective May 24, up-to-date as of June 29.) The Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI) for any hooved ... Read full story
 6/29/2004
Maryland Farm Quarantine Lifted  *
The quarantine of a Poolesville, Md., farm was lifted June 22 after five weeks passed with no detection of additional cases of neurologic disease. On May 18, veterinarians confirmed the last new case of what could be the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1, or equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy), but it hasn't been confirmed as ... Read full story
 6/28/2004
Kentucky Tightens VS Regulations  *
After receiving information that more premises and cases had confirmed cases of vesicular stomatitis (VS) in Texas and New Mexico, Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert Stout, DVM, announced on June 23 more detailed restrictions on movement of all livestock and wild animals from Texas, and a ban on movement into the state of all livestock and wild and ... Read full story
 6/24/2004
VS Update: Breeders' Cup, Lone Star Park Moving Ahead With Plans  *
Breeders' Cup, which has plans to set up a "disease-free zone" to allow horses to ship in and out of Lone Star Park, is moving full-steam ahead with preparations for this year's World Thoroughbred Championships even as a limited outbreak of vesicular stomatitis continues in Texas. Horses at three sites in Texas and four in New Mexico are known to ... Read full story
 6/23/2004
More Vesicular Stomatitis Confirmed in Texas and New Mexico  *
Horses on a total of three sites in Texas and four premises in New Mexico are known to be infected with vesicular stomatitis (VS), a painful blistering disease of livestock such as horses, sheep, swine, and deer. The viral disease appears spontaneously and sporadically in the southwestern United States and is thought to be transmitted by sand flies ... Read full story
 6/20/2004
Maryland Horse Farm Quarantined as Veterinarians Investigate Cause of Equine Illness  *
A private Maryland horse farm has been under a voluntary quarantine since March 25 while veterinarians investigate the cause of illness in 12 horses, four of which have been humanely euthanized. Veterinarians are testing for several diseases, including but not limited to equine herpesvirus at the Montgomery County farm. However, until all infectious ... Read full story
 5/26/2004
Salmonella In Central Kentucky   *
On May 8, a Central Kentucky equine hospital sent out letters to area clients, farm managers, and veterinarians notifying them that an increased number of salmonella cases had been detected at the clinic this year, and explaining the methods staff were using to eliminate the Salmonella organisms and safeguard the health of patients. According to several ... Read full story
 5/25/2004
EU Places Restrictions on Horses from the United States  *
The American Horse Council has learned that all horses being exported from the United States to the European Union (EU) now require a negative (1:12) virus neutralization test for vesicular stomatitis (VS). The test samples must be taken within 10 days prior to export for temporary export horses, and within 21 days prior to export for those horses ... Read full story
 5/25/2004
Vesicular Stomatitis Detected in Texas; Kentucky Bans Livestock  *
Vesicular stomatitis (VS), a disease with international implications for animal movement because symptoms mimic those of foot and mouth disease, was confirmed May 19 in western Texas. In response to that announcement, Kentucky Department of Agriculture officials banned the import of Texas horses and other livestock until 30 days after the final case ... Read full story
 5/24/2004
Georgia Herd Hit by Strangles  *
According to an April 16 AccessNorthGa.com report cited on ProMED, a herd of about 115 horses in western Georgia has been quarantined because of a strangles outbreak at the farm. "Under an order by Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin dated 1 April 2004, no horses from the herd can be removed, nor any new animals brought to the farm in Talbot County, ... Read full story
 4/21/2004
Foreign Animal Disease Investigations  *
"Veterinary practitioners are the cornerstone of foreign animal disease (FAD) surveillance in the United States," said Eileen Ostlund, DVM, PhD, head of the equine and ovine viruses section at the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, in Ames, Iowa, while she was speaking at the Western Veterinary Conference. "Reporting ... Read full story
 3/30/2004
USDA Instituting New Blood Test for Equine Piroplasmosis  *
Effective Feb. 1, 2004, the USDA will institute a new blood test for determining the equine piroplasmosis status of horses upon entry into the United States. The competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CELISA) is more sensitive than the Complement Fixation test (CFT), which is currently used to test for piroplasmosis. The CELISA has a greater ... Read full story
 1/19/2004
Great Britain Revises Codes on Infectious Diseases  *
Britain's Horserace Betting Levy Board has extensively changed its codes of practice regarding the infectious diseases contagious equine metritis (CEM), equine herpesvirus (EHV), and equine viral arteritis (EVA), which can severely disrupt horse breeding. John Parker, chairman of the committee responsible for drawing up the codes, revealed on Dec. ... Read full story
 12/11/2003
Keeping Disease at Bay   *
Preventing communicable diseases from striking horses should be the goal of every horse owner. Despite our best efforts, however, there are going to be occasions when a communicable malady afflicts one or more horses at a private farm or public stable. When that occurs, efforts must be made to treat the afflicted animals and to prevent the disease ... Read full story
 6/1/2003
EHV-1 Confirmed in Three Horses at Kentucky Racetrack  *
Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) has been confirmed as the cause of illness in three Thoroughbreds that were stabled in a training barn at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. Tuesday’s announcement follows treatment of several EHV-1 outbreaks in Ohio and Pennsylvania since January. The EHV-1 organism can cause three different forms of disease, including ... Read full story
 3/19/2003
Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital Management of Horses from University of Findlay EHV-1 Outbreak   *
Admission: Six horses were referred from the University of Findlay for emergency treatment. All horses had signs of neurological disease. One horse was dead on arrival on 19 January 03; this horse went directly to necropsy and was never admitted to the Hospital. Four horses were admitted 18-19 Jan 03. One horse was admitted 28 January 03. All horses ... Read full story
 2/28/2003
Equine Herpesvirus 1: Pathophysiology and Commonly Asked Questions  *
The following information was posted on The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital's web site Feb. 26. The author, Catherine W. Kohn, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, is professor of equine medicine and surgery at OSU. Typical Clinical Signs of EHV-1 Infection Upper respiratory infection is the most common manifestation of EHV-1 infection. Commonly, ... Read full story
 2/28/2003
OSU Equine Hospital Temporarily Closes for Cleaning and Disinfection; Three Horses Showed Neurologic Signs  *
The Equine Hospital at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine has closed its doors to non-emergency horse admissions until Feb. 20, 2003. This action has been taken to allow disinfection of the hospital because of potential contamination by horses admitted January 18, 19, and 24, 2003 from an outbreak of equine herpes virus type 1 ... Read full story
 2/14/2003
Equine Herpesvirus Type-1 Outbreak Resolving; Strain Might be Atypical   *
The worst is over in the unusual equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) outbreak that led to the death of 10 horses and has affected the remaining equine population at the University of Findlay’s English riding facility in Findlay, Ohio, since Jan. 12. Veterinarians have not detected any new cases of the respiratory and neurological illness in the last ... Read full story
 1/29/2003
Summary of Recent Australian Quarantine Case  *
The Australian Horse Industry Council has congratulated the quarantine authorities for their action and decisions in the case of a horse that became sick during quarantine in Sydney. Horse Council president, Dr Paul O'Callaghan said "The horse was only released after a risk assessment based on sound science and good consultation. The Post Arrival ... Read full story
 9/3/2002
Australian Shuttlers Released From Quarantine  *
In the wake of a positive West Nile Virus (WNV) test on a Canadian Standardbred horse, almost 50 Thoroughbred shuttle stallions were released from Australia's major quarantine station outside Sydney on the morning of Aug. 30. The decision for the release of Astreos and the other stallions came after a national teleconference the previous day. The ... Read full story
 8/30/2002
EIA in Georgia: Four Test Positive, 94 Quarantined  *
Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin announced last week that four horses in Chattooga County tested positive for Equine infectious anemia (EIA) and have been euthanized. So far, 94 other horses in the county have had to be quarantined due to possible exposure. EIA is a viral disease that affects the horse's immune system. There is no cure. ... Read full story
 8/26/2002
Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy in Virginia  *
Four cases of mysterious illness in Northern Virginia horses have been attributed to equine herpesvirus (EHV) myeloencephalopathy, a rare neurologic version of EHV type 1, which is typically recognized in its respiratory form as rhinopneumonitis. Three horses at Fox Chase Farm in Middleburg have been euthanized, and one pony is recovering at the farm ... Read full story
 5/8/2002
Biosecurity and Changes Since Sept. 11   *
Colorado State University biosecurity experts will discuss biological threats, how those threats have changed since Sept. 11, and how Colorado is protected at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 in Room A101 Clark Building on the university's campus in Fort Collins. The presentation, "Biosecurity and Your Community," will include information about how Sept. 11 changed ... Read full story
 1/16/2002
USDA Increases Veterinary Presence at U.S. Ports of Entry   *
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the hiring of 18 veterinarians to protect American agriculture against the entry of prohibited agricultural products that may contain foreign animal diseases like foot and mouth disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. "The addition of these veterinarians to USDA's comprehensive agricultural ... Read full story
 11/20/2001
USDA Exempts Iceland from Horse Testing Regulation  *
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published a final rule earlier this month that amends the regulations to exempt horses from Iceland from testing for dourine, glanders, equine piroplasmosis, and equine infectious anemia during the quarantine period following importation. This action is warranted because ... Read full story
 11/20/2001
Piroplasmosis: The Olympic Question  *
(The following information was presented by Lee Brooks, DVM, the state veterinarian for Georgia, at the American Horse Council's Horse Health Committee meeting. Following this information is a summary from Georgia and the USDA giving background information on piroplasmosis and the waivers under which the horses will compete in the Olympics.) Summary ... Read full story
 10/15/2001
Breeding Facilities  *
Any way you look at it, building a barn is a major undertaking. Doing it right the first time, to avoid headaches later, is the smart approach. In addition to the usual considerations of location, aesthetics, cost, and convenience, if you’re building a facility to house breeding stock (broodmares, foals, yearlings, and/or stallions), there are other ... Read full story
 10/3/2001
Solitary Confinement  *
There are few things sadder than a horse not in contact with other horses. A herd animal by nature, the horse always feels safest and most content when in company of others of his kind; isolation doesn’t come naturally to him. But in certain situations, isolation might be just what the doctor ordered—both to preserve his own health, and to protect ... Read full story
 10/2/2001
Australian Racehorse Imports From the UK To Resume  *
Racehorses from the United Kingdom will be allowed to travel on direct flights to Australia for race meetings (such as the Melbourne Cup) following detailed inspections of pre-export quarantine facilities by senior veterinary officer s with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). AQIS visited the United Kingdom to confirm that Australia's ... Read full story
 7/13/2001
Georgia Quarantines 41 horses, Tests 50 More For Equine Infectious Anemia  *
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin said on June 15 that 41 horses are quarantined at 10 different North Georgia locations due to exposure to equine infectious anemia (EIA). "We have tested these 41 quarantined in the Adairsville, Calhoun and Ranger areas and more than 50 others as a precautionary measure. Equine infectious anemia is an ... Read full story
 6/22/2001
Australia Lifts European Ban, Restricts Import  *
Biosecurity Australia announced yesterday (May 17) that the March 14 ban on horses from foot and mouth disease (FMD)-affected countries has been lifted. Strict quarantine and disinfection measures have been enacted to maintain Australia’s FMD-free status. ”In light of community and industry concern over the importation of horses, a thorough examination ... Read full story
 5/18/2001
USDA Proposes To Exempt Iceland From Horse Testing Regulations  *
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced April 17 that it is proposing to exempt horses from Iceland from testing for dourine, glanders, equine piroplasmosis, and equine infectious anemia during the quarantine period following importation. The USDA reports the action is warranted because Iceland has never had a reported case of dourine, glanders, ... Read full story
 4/27/2001
The New List of Precautionary Measures  *
The United States Department of Agriculture has responded to the foot and mouth disease threat by taking more precautionary measures in the importation of horses from foot and mouth disease-affected countries. USDA Procedures and Requirements for Handling Horses Imported into the United States from The European Union and Countries Affected with FMD Addendum ... Read full story
 4/6/2001
Biosecurity At Colorado State University's Open House  *
Biosecurity procedures to reduce the risk of the spread of foot and mouth disease will be implemented throughout this weekend's Veterinary Teaching Hospital Open House event at Colorado State University. Dr. Paul Morley, director of biosecurity for the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University announced the immediate implementation ... Read full story
 4/6/2001
Quarantine Facilities  *
Quarantine facilities...the mere name implies isolation and horses with infectious diseases for which there are no cures. In reality, quarantine facilities are the first line of defense to protect horses in the United States from such diseases. Horses in these facilities usually are healthy, and regulated quarantine limits and testing make sure that ... Read full story
 4/1/2000
EIA Positives At 21 in Pennsylvania  *
According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), as of Nov. 2, a total of 21 equids have tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA) in Wayne County since Sept. 18. Eighteen of these have been destroyed; the three most recent discoveries are quarantined. The PDA continues to investigate all leads to identify, ... Read full story
 11/5/1999
17 Pa. Horses Positive For EIA   *
Seventeen equines have tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia in Wayne County since Sept. 18, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). Fourteen of the equines have been destroyed, and the other three are quarantined. PDA is investigating all leads to identify, quarantine, and test Pennsylvania equines which have been exposed ... Read full story
 10/22/1999
CEM Update 3/20/98  *
The nurse mare (Miss VQ) which was leased to a Thoroughbred farm in Kentucky and found culture positive for the CEM-like organism has implicated two non-registered stallions (Hammer and Coal Digger) as the potential source of her infection. The mare and two stallions are in quarantine and are being examined and treated in accordance to state law. ... Read full story
 3/20/1998
CEM: Breeding Farm Precautions   *
The problem of contagious equine metritis (CEM) has not gone away. In fact, it has become more confusing as the weeks have progressed since a "CEM-like organism" was found in a Mammoth donkey jack in California in December 1997. In a separate and unrelated incident, a second CEM-like organism was recovered from a jack in Kentucky in January 1998. The ... Read full story
 2/17/1998
Contagious Diseases  *
"A serious epidemic of a nature still unknown is going on in the region of two of our plantations. Area of Yambuku is declared highly dangerous. All movement in and out of Yambuku is forbidden. Burn all linen in contact with the sick. Do not cross this barrier or you will die." "The mission of Yambuku, with its schools, farms, and hospital, was still ... Read full story
 10/1/1996
American Horse Council: Watchdog In Washington  *
There are an estimated six million equines in the United States. In some states, the horse industry is a multi-billion-dollar business, contributing substantially to the state and local tax base, as well as providing employment, entertainment, and education to the community. Whether a hobby or business, raising or working with horses can be costly. ... Read full story
 7/1/1996




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