More Cases of EHV-1 Now Hitting Kentucky and Missippi from the Trail Ride

[Rose Higgins]

EHV-1 Alert: Suspected Neurological Cases Follow Tennessee Trail Ride

May 10, 2012

UPDATE: E.S. Rusty Ford, Equine Programs Manager in the State Veterinarian’s Office in Kentucky shared news later today that this outbreak has caused the death of four horses “with four additional horses demonstrating similar symptoms”. “Earlier today we learned that preliminary diagnostic testing gives evidence that one or more of these sick horses may have contracted Equine Herpes Virus Type-1 (EHV-1),” he added. According to Ford’s report, one horse from Kentucky that was on the ride has died. A horse or horses from Mississippi were also at the ride. Ford’s report of interest to Kentucky horse owners and equine event... is now online.

Bucksnort Trail Rides, host of the trail ride, has also issued a letter to horse owners and riders to let them know that they are cooperating with Tennessee state officials. Bucksnort will be closed for the next 30 days and has cancelled the Memorial Day Ride.

Please contact your veterinarian if your horse was at that ride or if your horse has been in contact with outside horses recently and is showing unusual symptoms.

 

[Rose Higgins]

I sent information to chris cannonat news channel five today so hopefully the word will get out.

[Margo Bryant]

Dr. Dunlap's office in Capshaw is getting a shipment of vaccine that won't entirely prevent it, but should lessen the symptoms if they do.

[Michele Fuller]

I don't know if there has been anything on the news about this at all, but I sure wish it would be made more public so that more people would be aware of it.

[Rose Higgins]

The State Veterinarian’s Office in Mississippi said it was notified on May 9 of two confirmed cases of  EHV. In addition, four other cases of suspected EHV-1 have also been reported.  To date, three of these horses have died or been euthanized and three were ill with neurological disease.