The three horses at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, were immediately quarantined and are under bio security restrictions. Representatives from the State of California Veterinary Office have been involved in all decisions being taken.
A few days after, on the 18th of February, Desert International Horse Park closed the venue for all new arrivals. The following day, the organisation followed with more information regarding the seriousness of the situation as one horse had to be euthanized after developing neurologic symptoms. Desert International Horse Park wrote:
"The situation at the horse park is very serious. And it is constantly – almost hourly – evolving. It is nearly impossible to create an accurate picture of the situation on an on-going basis. Horses that tested negative test positive two days later. Horses that tested positive test negative as they recover. Horses with the non-neurologic strain of EHV-1 develop neurologic symptoms and are then classified as EHM. But they do not carry the neurologic strain of EHV-1. This is a complex virus. We are working closely with the experts, and at their direction, on priorities, actions, and resources.
In the past day, we have identified additional horses in other barns with EHV-1. These horses have been immediately isolated. Cohorts of exposed horses have also been quarantined in different barns. Of the three original horses in isolation, two have now tested negative. We have three additional positive cases, but all were horse that earlier in the week tested negative. All are stable and currently asymptomatic. We sadly also had two febrile horses develop neurologic symptoms. One of these was euthanized last evening. Our hearts are sad.
As we communicated yesterday, what the state and USEF want us to do is “hunker-down.” We have stopped horses from coming in and where possible turned away horses that were in transit. While everyone is free to leave, it also creates challenges, as we want to ensure the best monitoring of any potential exposed horses that remain asymptomatic. We also want to reiterate the critical importance, and routine best practice, of isolating horses returning from shows from all other horses for at least 7 days to continue monitoring."
To prevent more deaths Desert International Horse Park is testing the additional horses who are showing signs of EHV. "As we reported yesterday, we were awaiting the results from eleven tests sent to the CDFA lab on Tuesday. We had three additional horses that tested positive for EHV-1 today. One of these three was being tested for the first time after a recently detected fever. The other two positive EHV-1 cases were for horses that had previously tested negative. We had two horses that tested negative as a follow up to their initial negative test. These horses will be carefully watched but no further testing is planned. We retested six previously reported positive cases. One of these tested negative and will be scheduled for a follow up test in seven days. All three of the first initial cases on the property have now tested negative."
At the LA February Horse Show also pulled the alarm bell as one horse had an elevated temperature and another horse was experiencing symptoms that could lead to EHV. West Palm Events Management announced on the 23rd of February, they had to euthanize one horse at the venue. "Unfortunately we are sad to report that the second horse from yesterday has put down. This horse exhibited no symptoms until late afternoon when it became neurological, and experienced such severe symptoms that it was euthanized."
To keep following the updates, you can visit the websites of Desert International Horse Park and West Palms Events Management.
Source: Equnews
Photo by Lorene Farrugia on Unsplash