A deadly horse virus has caught the attention of equine enthusiasts across the country.
To date, Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) has led to the euthanization of 11 horses across the United States this year and another 17 animals are showing signs of neurological problems that can lead to death, according to Duene Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County.
As the disease continues to receive national attention, veterinarians here in Nebraska are suggesting area horse owners carry on as usual.
“Horse owners need to be aware of where they’re going and what’s going on, but I probably wouldn’t be overly concerned about outbreaks at this point,” said Roy Smith, equine veterinarian from Dewitt. “I would suggest that horse owners be aware of the other horses at local events. That’s a main way the disease is spread.”
Because contact with other horses may transmit the neurological disease, workers are taking precautions at local gatherings to prevent EHV-1 from being transmitted.
Steve Whitwer, president of the Gage County Ag Society, said this year’s Gage County Fair will likely have the same precautions it does every year to ensure all the animals are safe.
“Right now, we’re just keeping a close eye out in case there would be an outbreak,” Whitwer said. “If there were to be an outbreak in the area, we would consult our fair veterinarian and see what he would suggest to us for any types of quarantines. We always have someone on the grounds checking animals in anyway.
“It’s mainly been out in the west, but if your horses do come into contact with other horses often it might put your mind at ease to vaccinate them. Obviously, some shots are more expensive than others.”
Quint VanWinkle, veterinarian with the Blue Valley Veterinary Clinic, said while vaccinations may help some symptoms, there’s no preventing the neurological symptoms of the disease.
“We know that (vaccinations) help as far as the reproductive and respiratory form,” VanWinkle said. “Because it’s a mutated form that causes this neurological version, There’s no preventing that. It would be a recommendation to vaccinate because you’re using a vaccine that’s protecting the horses. If you have any immunity you may get some benefit, but there is no vaccine for the protection against the neurological aspect.”
Smith agreed that vaccination can be a good preventative measure to protect horses form the disease, a step he plans to take with his own horses.
“Normally, people don’t vaccinate for this but they could to be real cautious,” Smith said. “A type of new strain of some sickness comes up about every year, so how effective it is depends on which strain. I’m planning to vaccinate the ones I show. I’m cautious, but not overly protective.”
The disease first drew attention after a horse event in Ogden, Utah. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has now listed 75 confirmed cases of EHV-1 in nine states and 61 facilities that have suspected or confirmed cases.
Of the 75 confirmed cases, 58 cases are horses that were at the Ogden, Utah event. That means that the USDA is finding horses with the disease that were not at Ogden; an indication of secondary exposed horses becoming infected.
VanWinkle said there have been five quarantines in Nebraska following the incident, all of which have expired.
According to a brochure from the Nebraska equine veterinary clinic, EHV-1 can lead to forms of respiratory disease, birthing problems and death.
Indications of the disease include fever, decreased coordination, urine dribbling, weakness and inability to rise.
Because the disease hasn’t been confirmed in Nebraska, Whitwer said keeping an eye out for the symptoms and following guidelines should be enough to ensure the safety of most area horses.
“One of the most important things with the EHV virus is that it’s spread by contact,” Whitwer said. “You’re not supposed to let them drink out of the same water bucket, Since we haven’t had any horses out here exposed, we’re probably OK. When we start taking them to shows, that’s when you want to start watching them or keep them away.”
One organization that isn’t taking any chances with EHV-1 is the National Pony Express Association.
Each summer for the past 32 years, a Pony Express reenactment has been held with riders traveling from St. Joseph, Mo. to Sacramento, Calif.
They’ve rode in lightning, hail and just about any other kind of inclement weather that Mother Nature could conjure, but a deadly horse virus has forced this year’s re-ride to be postponed.
This annual re-ride organized by the National Pony Express Association is a commemoration of the Pony Express which began in St. Joseph, Mo. on April 3, 1860. The ride takes place along the Pony Express Trail.
The re-enactment was originally scheduled to leave St. Joseph on June 8, but due to safety concerns surrounding a recent outbreak of EHV-1 the ride has been postponed and will leave St. Joseph on Aug. 17.
“We just want to be responsible horse owners,” said Wayne Brandt, superintendent of Rock Creek Station and director of the Jefferson County National Pony Express Association, where the re-ride stops on the second day each year and will arrive on Aug. 18 this year. “We don’t want to have any part in spreading (EHV-1), we don’t want that around here.”
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