Here’s a release from the Florida Department of Agriculture:
A horse participating in the Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS), horse show in Ocala was referred to the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine after showing clinical neurological signs on February 20th. The horse subsequently tested positive for the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), wild-type strain. Currently, the horse is in stable condition and continues to be treated at the University of Florida. There are no additional suspect or confirmed cases at this time.
The Division of Animal Industry is continuing the disease investigation, which includes the HITS show grounds in Ocala, the local index farm and multiple premises that have horses that may have been exposed to the positive horse. No new quarantines have been issued today and the seven quarantines issued since last Thursday remain in place. These quarantines include the index farm, Tent 7 at HITS and five additional premises in Florida; two farms in the Ocala area, one in Pinellas Park, one in St. Augustine and one in Wellington. At this point in the investigation there are no known exposed horses in other states.
Additional movement requirements or restrictions have not been imposed by Florida or any other states at this time. We are advising horse owners and trainers to contact the venue of destination for any additional requirements prior to travel.
We are asking all those in the equine community to practice prudent bio-security on their farm and to report any suspected cases of EHV-1. For reporting, you may call 850-410-0900 Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm and 1-800-342-5869 after hours and weekends.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with continue to work with HITS management, trainers and veterinarians to ensure proper safeguards are taken to prevent further spread of the disease.
Frequent informational updates will be provided, so please continue to visit the freshfromflorida.com website regularly.
Additional Resources:
More information on the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) can be found at the following Websites,
American Association of Equine Practitioners, http://www.aaep.org/health_articles.php?category=Equine+Herpesvirus+%28EHV%29
Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, http://www.ca.uky.edu/gluck/BiblioEHV1.asp
University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, http://extension.vetmed.ufl.edu/files/2012/02/EHV-June-2011.pdf
Bio-security information, to help reduce the risk of spread contagious and infectious diseases can be found at the following Websites,
American Association of Equine Practitioners, http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Biosecurity_instructions%201.pdf
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS), http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/HorseBioSecurity_final.pdf