Symptoms Equine Herpes Virus Found in Idaho Horses

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture  is investigating what it's calling "a suspected outbreak" of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) within the state. 

Horses may have been exposed to the severe neurological form of EHV-1 at the NCHA Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah held April 30-May 8, 2011. Confirmed and suspected cases of the disease have also been reported in Utah, Colorado and several other states.

Two Idaho horses that traveled to the event have died and several others are currently under the care of veterinarians. 

State Veterinarian, Dr. Bill Barton is recommending horse owners incorporate strict movement controls or containment methods to prevent the spread of the disease.  "If you participated in this event, or have contact with horses that traveled to this event, you should notify your veterinarian and isolate and monitor these horses for a minimum of 21 days for clinical signs of the disease," he said.

Equine Herpes Virus is highly contagious among horses. Llamas and alpacas can also be affected but the virus poses no health threat to humans.

Symptoms may include a fever, nasal discharge, incoordination, hind-end weakness, lethargy, urine dribbling and diminished tail tone.  The virus is easily spread by airborne transmission, horse-to-horse contact and by contact with nasal secretions on equipment, tack, feed and other surfaces.

People can spread the virus to horses by means of contaminated hands, clothing, shoes and vehicles.  Currently there is no equine vaccine for protection against the neurological strain of the virus.

"I encourage owners to frequently monitor their horses and contact their veterinarian immediately should any symptoms of illness be detected," said Dr. Barton. 

EHV-1 is also a Notifiable Disease to the State Veterinarian in Idaho.   Anyone suspecting or confirming a case of EHV-1 should call (208) 332-8540 or (208) 332-8570 to report cases.

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My Friend Has Herpes - She Dated Again and Found Real Love

A girlfriend of mine was single for a very long time. She seemed to run away from any man who was interested in her. Originally I thought "That's Weird!", now I look back on those days with a little bit of sadness.

We were watching a DVD at my house one Saturday evening, having a few glasses of wine when she told me about her heartbreaking secret. She's contracted herpes from an old lover. I still weep when I think of her telling me and the defensive distrust in her eyes. Despite 15 years friendship it was as if she expected me to turn my back on her, rather than give her a hug and a shoulder to cry on.

We talked about some of her ex boyfriends. There was one in particular who sticks in my mind. They were dating for months, it all looked wonderful from the outside. Everything was going so well yet when she told him, he just split. He didn't even break up with her, he just never answered her calls or saw her again. It was one of the most heart breaking stories I'd ever heard.

The saddest thing about this story was that she had to shoulder the burden of this extreme rejection herself. Still reasonably new to dealing with the disease, she had not told anyone she was infected. As such, when this jerk treated her so poorly rather than supporting her, she had no-one to confide in at all. It made me weep to hear it.

I am so glad we talked openly that night. I think I really helped my friend. As we chatted and I shared her burden, I could almost see the weight lift from her shoulders. It also opened a gate for her I think as we talked about these things many times in the future. It was as if having broken the ice on the topic, she allowed herself to share her burden moving forward.

One thing she really found useful was a dating site specifically designed to cater for people with STDs. There were many reasons why she found this useful.

One of the things about this dating site she really enjoyed, was the understanding everyone had for what she was going through. The people she met and dated from this site all shared her experiences so they knew what she was going through. Through this understanding they provided real support.

The other thing which is pretty unique about STD dating sites is the way the websites themselves support the community they foster. Sure, they have forums and chat like every other dating site, but they also have some really useful tools. Like a daily fact sheet or news column about STDs to help the members understand what's going on. The one she joined even had live counsellors at the site, to help her through the issues specifically relating to her carrying the disease.

It was really great seeing the positive effect this site had on my friend. She doesn't visit it anymore though, she doesn't need to with her husband and two beautiful children doting on her.

Damian Papworth understands that STD dating sites really support their members get back on their feet and find romance again. STD dating sites are about finding love through understanding.

My Friend Has Herpes - She Dated Again and Found Real Love

A girlfriend of mine was single for a very long time. She seemed to run away from any man who was interested in her. Originally I thought "That's Weird!", now I look back on those days with a little bit of sadness.

We were watching a DVD at my house one Saturday evening, having a few glasses of wine when she told me about her heartbreaking secret. She's contracted herpes from an old lover. I still weep when I think of her telling me and the defensive distrust in her eyes. Despite 15 years friendship it was as if she expected me to turn my back on her, rather than give her a hug and a shoulder to cry on.

We talked about some of her ex boyfriends. There was one in particular who sticks in my mind. They were dating for months, it all looked wonderful from the outside. Everything was going so well yet when she told him, he just split. He didn't even break up with her, he just never answered her calls or saw her again. It was one of the most heart breaking stories I'd ever heard.

The saddest thing about this story was that she had to shoulder the burden of this extreme rejection herself. Still reasonably new to dealing with the disease, she had not told anyone she was infected. As such, when this jerk treated her so poorly rather than supporting her, she had no-one to confide in at all. It made me weep to hear it.

I am so glad we talked openly that night. I think I really helped my friend. As we chatted and I shared her burden, I could almost see the weight lift from her shoulders. It also opened a gate for her I think as we talked about these things many times in the future. It was as if having broken the ice on the topic, she allowed herself to share her burden moving forward.

One thing she really found useful was a dating site specifically designed to cater for people with STDs. There were many reasons why she found this useful.

One of the things about this dating site she really enjoyed, was the understanding everyone had for what she was going through. The people she met and dated from this site all shared her experiences so they knew what she was going through. Through this understanding they provided real support.

The other thing which is pretty unique about STD dating sites is the way the websites themselves support the community they foster. Sure, they have forums and chat like every other dating site, but they also have some really useful tools. Like a daily fact sheet or news column about STDs to help the members understand what's going on. The one she joined even had live counsellors at the site, to help her through the issues specifically relating to her carrying the disease.

It was really great seeing the positive effect this site had on my friend. She doesn't visit it anymore though, she doesn't need to with her husband and two beautiful children doting on her.

Damian Papworth understands that STD dating sites really support their members get back on their feet and find romance again. STD dating sites are about finding love through understanding.