HV-1 Update Thursday 8:00 am: I
visited with the State Veterinarians office this
morning and at that time--there is no change in the
status for Kansas.
Updated May 29, 2011, 11:00 a.m.
For more information contact:
Bill Brown (785) 296-2326
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 19, 2011
NO REPORTS OF EQUINE VIRUS IN KANSAS
(TOPEKA) - Horse owners are expressing considerable concern about several
recently confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in states across the
U.S. The virus has resulted in the deaths of several horses and led to the
cancellation of one major equine event and speculation about others.
Colorado currently has six confirmed cases of EHV-1. There are additional
suspect cases in other states. For those horse owners planning on traveling to
Colorado, the requirements for entry are a certificate of veterinary inspection,
recorded temperature, current Coggins test and an entry permit.
Kansas Livestock Commissioner Bill Brown, a veterinarian, has received no
reports of EHV-1 cases in Kansas.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, and talking to other states in an
effort to obtain the most current information”, said Brown.
One Kansas horse was at the Ogden, Utah, event where the virus is thought to
have originated, but that particular horse did not return to Kansas. The animal
is under quarantine outside of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Brown said he and other Kansas Animal Health Department officials have no plans
to force cancellation of any equine-related events at this time. This could
change pending new developments or confirmation of EHV-1 in the state.
EHV-1 is not transmissible to humans. The contagious virus causes respiratory
disease, neurologic disorders and death in the equine species. The most common
way for the disease to spread is through direct horse-to-horse contact. Clinical
symptoms include fever, nasal discharge and incoordination of the hind limbs.
Brown said horse owners should practice proper biosecurity procedures and
contact their local veterinarian with any questions or concerns regarding the
disease or transmission. Additional information on the disease is available at
the Kansas State University Center for Veterinary Medicine website:
http://www.vet.ksu.edu/ under “Public Health/Veterinary Alerts.”
Updated May 19, 2011, 8:00 a.m.
Updated May 18, 2011, 2:00 p.m.
EHV-1 Update for Kansas NBHA:
The Kansas NBHA State Championships will be held as scheduled.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are traveling from out of state including MISSOURI, OKLAHOMA, COLORADO AND NEBRASKA WITH HORSES, you are required to provide a Health Certificate dated with 48 hours of your travel date to Kansas. We apologize for the inconvenience but we want to protect our horses as best we possibly can. You must have this at check-in time.
FROM THE KANSAS ANIMAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
May 18, 2011
You may have been reading or hearing about the Equine Herpes Virus outbreak across the western region of the country. Kansas Animal Health Department is monitoring the situation and Commissioner Brown will issue a press release late tomorrow or early Friday. Below are bullet points which may help to answer questions.
The concern has been in a few of the Western States where a few horses have been put down or died.
KS has received no reported cases that would fit the case definition of EHV
All State Veterinarians were on a nationwide conference call on 17 May; we will have more information late Thursday or early Friday. We will then disseminate additional information, prevalence data, and any precautionary measures to be taken.
We are not aware of any state imposing stricter import requirements, nor has any state shut any movements across their borders. CO is requiring a permit for any horse entering their state.
At this moment, KS is not imposing any movement restrictions on horses entering this state for any equine event.
KS had one horse attend the Ogden, Utah event but that horse never returned to KS. It is under quarantine outside of Lincoln, NE.
People bringing horses into KS should practice sound bio-security and be on the alert of any health problems that may arise.
I have attached an AAEP document that lays out sound bio-security principles.
Karen Domer
Animal Health Planner
Kansas Animal Health Department
Protecting Kansas Livestock since 1884
708 S.W. Jackson St.
Topeka, Kansas 66603
785-296-2326
Please click here for more information:
The following is information about EHV-1 which was published in the May 17, 2011 Barrel Racing Report. Click here for a link to their report.
The Equine Chronicle Online is providing up-to-date information as well. Click here for more information on EHV-1 Status: