NASHVILLE, Tenn. — State officials recently announced the discovery of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) after horses began showing symptoms of the disease following a trail ride held in the north-central portion of Tennessee.

The Bucksnort Trail Ride April 23-30 in Humphreys County brought about 100 horses from several states together. Since then, a total of nine suspected or confirmed cases have been reported to the Tennessee veterinarian’s office, according to State Veterinarian Charles Hatcher.

Of those nine, one case has been confirmed, six animals are showing symptoms of the disease and two horses have been humanely euthanized.

In Indiana, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has quarantined a Lake County boarding facility after a horse was confirmed positive with equine EHV-1 May 18. The horse was humanely euthanized after showing neurological signs just days before he was confirmed for the virus.

The 45 horses at the stable will remain under quarantine until all are confirmed free of the disease. BOAH offered no indication that this is related to the Tennessee-related incidents.

“We have not had any cases reported to us since (May 12-13),” Hatcher said, of the Tennessee incidents. “There were five states involved with issues in Kentucky and Mississippi.”

Both states have also confirmed deaths in animals suspected to be from the illness; one in Kentucky and three in Mississippi. In a statement from the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, officials have confirmed two cases, with four other suspected cases. The three remaining animals have been isolated and are being treated.

“All Mississippi Bucksnort Trail Ride participants are being notified about the situation and the necessity for isolation and monitoring horses taken to the event.  The potential for exposure to other horses is also being evaluated.  At this time, there has been no spread to other horses in Mississippi,” the statement noted.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) released similar information. A total of seven residents brought eight horses to the trail ride. The animals came from Edmonson, Logan, Simpson, Todd and Warren counties, all located near the Tennessee border.

Of those animals, the seven remaining have exhibited no signs of the disease and were not known to have come into contact with any infected animals, but the animals are being closely monitored.

KDA reported other horses residing on the same farm as the deceased horse are under veterinary restriction, pending a determination as to what caused the horse’s illness. Diagnostic samples were collected from the single ill horse prior to its death and have been submitted for testing. The agency also noted the state’s equine population was minimally impacted by the discovery.

Horses also came from Maryland and Illinois to the trail ride; however, no cases related to the event have been reported thus far.

Hatcher said now, with equine events happening all across the country, it is good to exercise caution when it comes to horse owners. “The thing about this disease is, the spread of it is controlled by isolation and good biosecurity procedures with those affected horse. It is primarily spread by direct contact, nose to nose, although it can be spread by direct contact with people off their hands and water buckets and those kinds of things,” he said.

“If nothing else, this has raised awareness for biosecurity procedures in general and that all horse owners should be aware of them when they go to an event.”

Hatcher added much of what producers should do is common sense. For instance, hand-washing is critically important, as well as minimizing contact between horse herds. Hatcher said horse owners should also work with their local veterinarians on vaccination schedules.

“If possible, whenever your horses return from a trail ride, show or any equine event, you want to isolate them for two weeks and make sure there is no nose-to-nose contact,” he said.

Hatcher emphasized these are standard procedures all horse owners should observe. He also said the beginning of the summer season signals the time of year when many horse events are taking place.

“There are lots of opportunities for horses to congregate, so (horse owners) need to have this first and foremost on their minds,” he said of the occurrence of EHV-1. “You shouldn’t travel with a sick horse and if you have any signs of having illness in your horse, you should consult your veterinarian.”

For Kentuckians, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout have directed Animal Health personnel to work closely with show managers and veterinarians to ensure immediate notification of any suspected communicable disease is made to appropriate officials, according to information from KDA. Comer also stressed early notification allows a quick response by the KDA, providing an opportunity to minimize any potential direct and indirect negative impact the state’s equine industry might suffer.

For those in Tennessee, animal health updates and alerts are available on the TDA website at www.tn.gov/agriculture as well as numerous resources for horse owners, including: A Guide To Understanding the Neurologic Form of EHV Infection at www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf

USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Resources: www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv

American Assoc. of Equine Practitioners Fact Sheet: www.aaep.

org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Equine%20Herpes%20Virus.pdf