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.
New EHV-1 Neurologic Case in California; Not LAEC
December 2, 2016: One horse with mild neurologic symptoms has been confirmed as a case of EHM in Inyo County, California. This case is caused by the neurologic EHV-1 strain and is biologically distinct from the non-neurologic strain identified in all the recently confirmed cases (13 cases) in Los Angeles County. The affected horse, a 20-year-old QH gelding, is part of a wintering pack string of twenty-eight (28) horses and four (4) mules on an isolated, high desert ranch. These horses/mules have been placed under quarantine with no movement allowed in order to limit disease transmission. This disease outbreak is under investigation by CDFA staff onsite and CDFA will continue to provide updated information. For more information go to: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html.
LAEC Update
Los Angeles County EHM outbreak update: The Los Angeles Equestrian Center EHM outbreak has had a total of thirteen (13) EHV-1 confirmed cases and all of those caused by the non-neuropathogenic strain EHV-1 virus. There has been no new febrile horses since November 23rd and only one positive horse remains in isolation. Enhanced biosecurity measures continue in all barns under quarantine and all horses’ temperatures continue to be monitored twice daily
WNV in Oklahoma
The 15th reported WNV positive horse has been confirmed for 2016 in Oklahoma. The yearling QH filly located in McCurtain County was showing severe neurologic signs and was euthanized. Vaccination status is unknown. For more information visit http://www.ag.ok.gov.
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.
