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.
EHM at Fair Grounds Racetrack
A diagnosis of equine herpesrvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in one horse at the Fair Grounds racetrack in New Orleans, Louisiana has been confirmed by the attending veterinarian. The horse had a fever last week, became neurologic on December 25, 2016, and was euthanized. Laboratory test results on December 26 from the LSU diagnostic laboratory were positive for EHV-1, which can cause neurologic disease. The barn where the horse was stabled has been quarantined. Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy is a reportable disease in Louisiana and is monitored by the state veterinarian’s office. More details and official information from the state veterinarian’s office will be provided as they become available. For more information on EHM go to http://equinediseasecc.org/diseases.aspx.
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.
