Amador County – An Amador County horse is one of 10 from the state that has contracted the neurological strain of the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), but it was “caught early,” is quarantined and is being treated.
Amador County Agriculture Commissioner Mike Boitano said Wednesday that one animal from Bakersfield was euthanized, and another is being treated at U.C. Davis. “The one here was caught early and is being treated,” and its facility is under quarantine.
Boitano said California Department Food & Agriculture’s veterinary services are working to try to prevent the spread and they have a pretty good system of detecting diseases. CDFA’s Dr. Catherine “Flynn has been working all week on this.” She got the names of the horses and the owners’ names from the Ogden, Utah, cutting horse show, and contacted them. Dr. Flynn has also met with private veterinarians in the state on the individual cases.
Boitano said there is a bunch of concern about the junior rodeo going on at the Amador County Fairgrounds (Wednesday) through this weekend, but he wanted to get out information and help curb rumors.
He said the virus is killed by sunlight. It has been recommended that the Fairgrounds get a thorough disinfection after the rodeo. The virus has a 14-day incubation period, and the neurological strain of the disease has no real treatment. If horses are treated early on, they will come out of it.
Boitano said: “There is no labeled vaccination for it, but there are some vaccines that may help – and that’s a big may.” Some treatments work, some do not, “and that doesn’t stop the vets from trying.” Some animals they save, and some of them don’t.
He said the industry is doing the best thing in canceling cutting horse shows, stopping the movement of animals, to help contain spread.
The National Cutting Horse Association announced Tuesday that “all NCHA-approved shows for the weekend of May 20-22 have been cancelled. NCHA officer Pam Robison said the association “appreciates this proactive move by show producers in a nationwide show of precaution and solidarity to help stop the spread of the contagious and potentially deadly EHV-1 virus among horses.”
Robinson said the Texas Quarter Horse Association cancelled its cutting classes for a May 24-25.
She said: “While the NCHA does not want to unnecessarily alarm horse owners, we do want to stress the severity of this virus, and be a clearinghouse of factual information so you can make informed decisions on this matter regarding your personal horses.”
Robinson said unofficial reports showed cases of EHV-1 in Colorado, Utah, Washington, Idaho, Arizona and Western Canada.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
