Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966
Austin, Texas 78711
(800) 550-8242 FAX (512) 719-071
Bob Hillman, DVM � Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us

To keep equine animal owners up to date with Equine Herpes Virus type 1 (EHV-1) , I am forwarding links for EHV-1 updates for Florida and New Jersey, and am providing the following alert from the California Department of Agriculture:

"By now, numerous recent reports of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) attributed outbreaks of neurological disease in different venues across the country have rightfully captured our attention. The most recent clinical case of neurologic EHV-1 in California involves a horse from Golden Gate Fields. Raceways, horse shows, farms, and clinics in several states have been noticeably impacted by multiple cases of illness including several deaths.

EHV-1 is not a regulatory disease in many states including California [and Texas] and, therefore, it is crucial to repeat that owners and trainers are advised to work very closely with their veterinary practitioner to develop a preventative plan that is right for their horse."

The full text of California's EHV-1 alert, disease information and links may be accessed at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ah/equine_herpes_virus.htm

Updates on Florida's outbreak of EHV-1 may be found at: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/ehv1/index.shtml

New Jersey updates on EHV-1, entry and biosecurity information: http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/divisions/ah/news/announcements.html

Links for EHV-1 information also are posted on the TAHC web site at: http://www.tahc.state.tx.us EHV-1 has not been detected in Texas, as of early January 2007.

It is extremely important that cases of EHV-1 be reported to state-federal animal health officials so that current information be provided to veterinarians and equine animal owners.

Potential Clinical Signs of EHV-1:
Respiratory signs may be minimal and of short duration.
Increased rectal temperature may be the only clinical sign
Horses can have two fever spikes

The initial rise in rectal temperature is usually mild-101.5 to 102.5��F After the initial temperature rise, which may be missed, the horse can either be clinical normal, develop respiratory signs of nasal discharge, increased temperature (> 102.5), minimal coughing, can abort if pregnant, or, in a small number of cases develop neurological signs. Neurological signs: Horses become ataxic (incoordination), inability to empty bladder, and weakness of the tail. Some horses will become completely paralyzed; the prognosis for these horses is poor. In a small number of cases, horses can show abnormal mentation and develop cranial nerve signs. Most horses become mildly to moderately neurologic and stabilize rapidly. The neurologic signs can persist but most horses are normal by 3 to 6 months after onset of clinical signs. Abortion: pregnant horses can experience spontaneous abortion between 7 days and several months after exposure. The mare will exhibit limited initial signs.

Owners with sick horses should contact their private veterinarian to examine and treat their horses. Veterinarians suspecting EHV-1 with neurological signs are advised to contact state officials and follow protocols for collecting and submitting appropriate samples for laboratory diagnosis.