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.
Update on Louisiana EHV-1 Outbreak
On January 3, 2017, a horse in Fair Grounds racetrack barn #47 spiked a fever and was tested PCR negative for EHV-1 on blood sample and positive for EHV-1 non-neuropathogenic or wild type strain on nasal samples. The horse had recently undergone a throat surgery and had a history of EIPH, but no neurological signs were present. The horse has been placed in isolation, and barn #47 has been placed under official quarantine with twice daily monitoring of temperatures and enhanced biosecurity.
To date there are four barns under quarantine and four horses in isolation quarantine. The index horse that was PCR positive for the neuropathogenic strain was euthanized. LDAF, USDA, and Racing Commission veterinarians continue to work with track personnel in monitoring the incident.
Due to the outbreak of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) confirmed in several barns at the Fair Grounds racetrack in Louisiana and considering that horses had left the track to area training centers while the virus was circulating, the Kentucky Office of State Veterinarian is directing that no horse that has resided or been on a Louisiana race track or training center since December 10, 2016, shall be allowed entry onto a Kentucky racetrack at this time. Any horse that has been in these environments must come with certification that they have been removed a minimum of 30 days to qualify for entry onto a Kentucky racetrack in addition to their meeting standard health requirements. The Kentucky Office of State Veterinarian will have inspector(s) monitoring the daily movement of horses onto tracks currently conducting live racing, will continue to monitor developments in Louisiana, and will adjust mitigating strategies as needed.
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.
