The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed one case of neurologic equine herpesvirus (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy or EHM) on January 9. The 21-year-old Quarter Horse gelding in Santa Barbara County had onset of clinical signs on January 4. Those signs included ataxia, fever and recumbency. The unvaccinated gelding was euthanized on January 9 due to severity of the disease.
Two horses on the premises were exposed. This premises has been quarantined with requirements for enhanced biosecurity measures, including twice daily temperature monitoring. There has been no recent movement of horses on or off the property. CDFA will continue to monitor the situation.
Information for this report was provided by the Equine Disease Communication Center.
