The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has issued a warning to racetracks in the province after a case of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy was discovered at a track in New York state.
“The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) notes that the Vernon Downs’ stable area remains under quarantine as a safety precaution after a case of equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) was diagnosed on Saturday (May 4),” the commission stated in its province-wide caution. “The virus is currently contained to one barn on the Vernon backstretch.”
The provincial ministry of agriculture last week announced a similar case was detected at an undisclosed farm in Wellington County. The horse was eventually euthanized.
Jackie Bellamy, spokesperson with Equine Guelph, said horse owners should check to see whether their animals have a fever.
“Fever is one of the first things you’re going to notice and stiffening in the hind end,” she said of symptoms for which to look.
The highly-contagious virus can cause death and illness in horses. It can also cause death and abortion of foals.
Quarantine necessary
To prevent its spread Bellamy said contact between horses and sharing of drinking water should be avoided. It can also be spread through contact with contaminated tack and equipment.
Affected or exposed horses should be quarantined, but not removed from the farm. Quarantine should last a minimum of two weeks.
The virus can be carried for life and become contagious if the animal is stressed due to strenuous exercise or transport.
Owners are required to continue veterinary care with regular blood tests of animals suspected of carrying the virus, Bellamy added.
She stressed bio-security measures in the barn are the best way to prevent the spread.
The virus comes in a respiratory strain for which there is a vaccine and neurological strain for which there is no vaccine.
