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.

Amador County – The Arc of Amador and Calaveras counties for the 23rd year will greet a group of college students who are riding bicycles across the United States to promote understanding of people with disabilities.

Sherri Pitto of The Arc of Amador and Calaveras said that on Tuesday, June 14th, The Arc “will again host a welcoming picnic for the inspiring Journey of Hope cyclists.” She said the “young men are part of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity,” and “their philanthropic organization Push America sponsors the Journey as part of their campaign to promote a greater understanding of people with disabilities.”

This year’s PUSH America Journey of Hope 2011 will include more than 70 cyclists, who will leave San Francisco on June 11th on their “Journey of Hope” to Washington DC. Half of the riders will come through Jackson after leaving Sacramento on their way over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The other half takes a route that goes through Southern California before heading east.

This will be the 23rd year the group has stopped in Jackson before heading over the Sierras, and the 22nd year The Arc has provided the group with a “friendship” picnic with “lots of camaraderie, food, drink, and fun,” Pitto said. The Arc has provided services to people with disabilities since 1971, and the Journey of Hope has become as much of an annual anticipated event for Arc participants as it has for the riders. Pitto said returning cyclists and crew members have said that “the Amador County experience is one of the best experiences of the Journey of Hope, year after year.”

The welcoming picnic will be at the St. Sava’s complex in Jackson between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14th in Jackson. Pitto said other local sponsors include Jackson Family Sports, Jackson Lions’ Club, and Mel and Faye’s Diner.

Pi Kappa Phi is the only national men’s fraternity to establish and maintain their own service project. Fraternity members have raised over $10 million for Push America since 1977.

Pitto said: “It’s an amazing adventure and a tribute to the character of the young men who make up Pi Kappa Phi.” Each cross-country trip takes 63 days, and the bicyclist’s average 75 miles per day. Every day, the riders meet with disability groups and promote events to raise awareness and understanding of people with disabilities.

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Amador County – The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced Tuesday that 10 horses in California have contracted the neurological strain of the Equine Herpes Virus, including confirmed cases in Amador, Kern, Napa, Placer and Stanislaus counties.

CDFA Public Affairs Director Steve Lyle said: “One horse in Kern County was euthanized after showing severe neurological signs often associated with the disease. All of the infected horses recently attended the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships in Odgen, Utah on April 30 to May 8” where they “were most likely exposed to the virus.”

Lyle said “all California horses that have been in contact with an infected horse and show signs of disease or test positive for (the virus) will be placed under a CDFA quarantine in order to limit spread. This disease outbreak is evolving and CDFA will continue to investigate cases and provide updated information.”

Lyle said CDFA “contacted all 54 exhibitors from California who participated in the Odgen, Utah event and asked them to isolate and monitor their horses for clinical signs” of the virus. “A rectal temperature in excess of 102-degrees Fahrenheit commonly precedes other clinical signs” and “horse owners with potentially exposed horses are urged to take temperatures on each individual horse twice a day. If a temperature above 102F is detected, the horse’s private veterinarian should be contacted immediately for evaluation and laboratory testing.”

“Equine Herpes virus is a contagious disease and may spread quickly among horse populations,” Lyle said, but it “is not transmissible to humans.” It is spread by “horse-to-horse contact, aerosol transmission, and contaminated hands, equipment, tack and feed.”

Horses infected with the neurologic strain of the virus, may show clinical signs such as “nasal discharge, lack of coordination, hind-end weakness, lethargy, urine dribbling and diminished tail tone,” Lyle said. The neurological strain has no specific treatment, but other strains have various treatments. “Immediate separation and isolation of identified suspect cases and implementation of appropriate biosecurity measures are key elements for disease control.”

Lyle said: “Currently, there is no equine vaccine that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic strain of this virus.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-13-11 - TSPN's Tom Slivick sits down with Aaron Brusatori, the new Community Development Director for Amador County.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-19-11 - TSPN's Tom slivick sits down with Amador County Agriculture Officer Mike Boitano to discuss the recent outbreak of a neurological strain of horse virus that has affected an Amador County horse.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-18-11

·       Ione rejected bids for Preston Avenue sewer line replacement project, had staff prepare to rebid the work.

·       Supervisors adjusted local Williamson Act lands, and discussed the future of the program in Amador.

·       AWA reorganization approved for upcoming budget work.

·       The presence of an Amador Sheriff’s K9 led to a parolee at large surrendering in Camanche.

·       Jackson Business and Community Association promotes its first annual Mother Lode Cruise antique car show.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-19-11

·       10 California horses have contracted the often deadly neurological strain of Equine Herpes Virus, likely from a cutting horse show in Utah.

·       ARC of Amador will again host Push America bicyclists with a “friendship picnic” BBQ June 14.

·       An Amador County horse quarantined with a neurological EHV-1 Virus was “caught early”.

·       County Assessor will soon start review of 2011-2012 tax year assessments he feels may be too high.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-19-11

·       10 California horses have contracted the often deadly neurological strain of Equine Herpes Virus, likely from a cutting horse show in Utah.

·       ARC of Amador will again host Push America bicyclists with a “friendship picnic” BBQ June 14.

·       An Amador County horse quarantined with a neurological EHV-1 Virus was “caught early”.

·       County Assessor will soon start review of 2011-2012 tax year assessments he feels may be too high.

Amador County News, TSPN TV News Video, 5-19-11 - TSPN's Tom slivick sits down with Amador County Agriculture Officer Mike Boitano to discuss the recent outbreak of a neurological strain of horse virus that has affected an Amador County horse.

Amador County – The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced Tuesday that 10 horses in California have contracted the neurological strain of the Equine Herpes Virus, including confirmed cases in Amador, Kern, Napa, Placer and Stanislaus counties.

CDFA Public Affairs Director Steve Lyle said: “One horse in Kern County was euthanized after showing severe neurological signs often associated with the disease. All of the infected horses recently attended the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships in Odgen, Utah on April 30 to May 8” where they “were most likely exposed to the virus.”

Lyle said “all California horses that have been in contact with an infected horse and show signs of disease or test positive for (the virus) will be placed under a CDFA quarantine in order to limit spread. This disease outbreak is evolving and CDFA will continue to investigate cases and provide updated information.”

Lyle said CDFA “contacted all 54 exhibitors from California who participated in the Odgen, Utah event and asked them to isolate and monitor their horses for clinical signs” of the virus. “A rectal temperature in excess of 102-degrees Fahrenheit commonly precedes other clinical signs” and “horse owners with potentially exposed horses are urged to take temperatures on each individual horse twice a day. If a temperature above 102F is detected, the horse’s private veterinarian should be contacted immediately for evaluation and laboratory testing.”

“Equine Herpes virus is a contagious disease and may spread quickly among horse populations,” Lyle said, but it “is not transmissible to humans.” It is spread by “horse-to-horse contact, aerosol transmission, and contaminated hands, equipment, tack and feed.”

Horses infected with the neurologic strain of the virus, may show clinical signs such as “nasal discharge, lack of coordination, hind-end weakness, lethargy, urine dribbling and diminished tail tone,” Lyle said. The neurological strain has no specific treatment, but other strains have various treatments. “Immediate separation and isolation of identified suspect cases and implementation of appropriate biosecurity measures are key elements for disease control.”

Lyle said: “Currently, there is no equine vaccine that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic strain of this virus.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.