In light of the recent equine herpesvirus outbreak in horses, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine recommends that horse show organizers impose a "no fever" policy for horses attending their events.
The school acknowledges that most horses with a fever don't have equine herpesvirus, but the policy should be enforced for biosecurity reasons.
Equine herpesvirus is a highly contagious airborne virus that has killed or led to the euthanization of at least seven horses this month, the Los Angeles Times reported. The outbreak has been traced to an event in Ogden, Utah, between April 18 and May 3, and an event in Bakersfield on May 13. It has spread to nine states, including New Mexico, Oregon and Washington.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced yesterday that 12 California counties have positive confirmed cases of equine herpesvirus.
- One case each in Amador, Los Angeles, Marin, Napa, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta and Ventura counties
- Two cases each in Glenn and Kern counties
- Three cases each in Placer and Stanislaus counties
Seven of the infected horses displayed severe neurological symptoms, including one whose condition grew so grave that he had to be put down. The 17 others are under a state-ordered quarantine and are being treated by private veterinarians, CDFA public affairs director Steve Lyle told the LA Times.
Lyle said the department was not ordering or recommending that horse events in the state be canceled, though "that could change at some point."
Attached Images:
Horses with a 102-degree fever or higher may not participant in horse shows.