The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) offers alerts about equine diseases that have been confirmed by reliable sources. The following information is from the EDCC. The following reports are in chronological order from most recent to oldest from previous reports.
Two Neurologic EHV Cases in California
On November 3, 2016, a 5-year-old Saddlebred displaying severe neurologic signs and a 10-year-old Saddlebred in Los Angeles County displaying moderate neurologic signs were confirmed positive for the non-neuropathogenic strain equine herpesvirus type 1 at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory. Due to severity of clinical signs, the 5-year-old horse was euthanized on November 3, 2016. The Department has issued a quarantine for exposed horses at the facility and has implemented enhanced biosecurity measures. All exposed horses will have temperatures taken twice daily and be observed for clinical signs compatible with EHV.
The two confirmed positive horses, along with four other horses, recently returned from a horse show in Las Vegas, Nevada, from Oct. 27-29, 2016. These horses returned to the California home premises on October 30. Out of an abundance of caution, show management has notified trainers/owners participating in the event to recommend twice daily temperature monitoring and observation of compatible clinical signs. CDFA Animal Health Branch veterinarians are onsite monitoring the situation and will provide additional updates as they become available.
22nd EEE Case in Florida for 2016
On November 2, a new EEE case was confirmed in Highlands County, Florida. The 2-year-old grade gelding had never received any type of vaccination and had no recent travel history. Clinical signs began on October 25, and the horse was euthanized for humane reasons the following day. This is the second confirmed EEE case in Highlands County and case 22 in Florida for 2016.
About EDCC
The Equine Disease Communication Center works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
The goal of the EDCC is to alert the horse industry about disease outbreak information to help mitigate and prevent the spread of disease. Ultimately frequent and accurate information about diseases outbreaks improves horse welfare and helps to prevent negative economic impact that can result from decreased horse use due to a fear of spreading infection. As part of the National Equine Health Plan the EDCC will serve as part of the communication to help educate and promote research about endemic and foreign disease.
Working in cooperation with state animal health officials and the United State Department of Agriculture, the EDCC seeks information about current disease outbreaks from news media, social media, official state reports and veterinary practitioners. Once information is confirmed, it is immediately posted on this website and messages sent to all states and horse organizations by email. Daily updates are posted until each outbreak is contained or deemed no longer a threat.
The EDCC is made possible by generous donations from organizations and horse owners. Please visit our sponsors that have generously supported this program for the benefit of the health and welfare of horses. To learn how you can help go to SUPPORT.
