The office of the Wyoming State Veterinarian noted on February 6, 2018, that a third horse in the Wright area of Campbell County was admitted to a veterinary clinic with signs of hind limb ataxia and weakness and no fever. Samples were collected and treatment imitated at the facility. On February 7, results for that horse were reported as positive for EHV-1 wild type on both nasal swab and blood.
The premise of origin for this positive horse is a boarding facility, which has been placed under quarantine with 17 horses present and considered exposed.
Additionally, based on necropsy results and ante-mortem testing, the index case in Campbell County was classified as EHM positive and the premises of origin was quarantined to include 10 horses considered exposed.
Results for the second positive horse were also positive for EHV-1 wild type on both nasal swab and blood and that premises of origin was also quarantined to include nine horses considered exposed and another showing mild neurologic signs with no fever. This most recent positive (second on this premises) is being treated at the same veterinary facility and samples have been submitted.
This brings the current count of suspected or confirmed EHV-1 cases to four.
All three quarantined premises, which contain 26 quarantined horses total, are instituting biosecurity practices, checking temperatures at least twice daily, and cooperating fully with state animal health officials.
An epidemiological investigation continues to try to determine a common source of infection for all three horse in order to alert the public and mitigate further spread.
All four of the horses showing signs have a history of competing at barrel racing events.
For more information go to http://wyagric.state.wy.us.
