FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12-19-2006
From the Florida Department of Agriculture Department

Contacts:
Liz Compton
(850) 488- 3022
cell: (850) 251-5693
[email protected]

Terry McElroy
(850) 488-3022
cell: (850) 933-4562
[email protected]

Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services Continues Investigation Into Horse Virus Outbreak

TALLAHASSEE –Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson says the department’s Division of Animal Industry is continuing the investigation into the presence of Equine Herpesvirus – type 1 (EHV-1) in several areas of the state including Wellington, Jupiter and the Ocala area. EHV-1 can be a serious disease of horses and the virus can spread through the air from the respiratory route of affected horses. Transmission can also occur through contaminated equipment, clothing and hands.

So far, seven horses have tested positive for the virus through lab tests. All confirmed cases are under quarantine.
Here is a chronology of events:

Five horses imported from Europe were brought to Florida from the New York animal import station, a quarantine station for imported horses; three more horses were picked up en route in Huntington, N.Y. and one in Darlington, Maryland. When the truck arrived on November 29th in Wellington, Florida, one of the horses from the import station was ill. That horse is now recovering but two horses that were stabled with the index horse at the original facility became ill and died. A lab test on one of those horses confirmed EHV-1. The facility, J N and Company is currently under state quarantine and the horses are being closely monitored. No horses are allowed to enter or leave the premises.

The Maryland horse had been transported to another Wellington location, Southfields Training facility, and died on December 2nd. While no lab test was done, because of its exposure to the disease, the Southfields facility voluntarily restricted all movement of horses.

Late today, a lab test confirmed a positive case within that facility at the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex, which is part of the Southfields Training facility. There is a second suspect case there awaiting lab test confirmation. The Department is also placing this facility under quarantine.

A horse that was exposed to the virus during the shipment into Florida was treated at the Palm Beach Equine Clinic and is believed to have been a possible link to the horse in Ocala, which was at the clinic at the same time. The Ocala horse has tested positive for EHV-1 and was transported to Ocala on December 11th. The horse was ill when it arrived and was immediately isolated from all other horses at the Ocala location, Tuxedo Farms. The horse continues to be isolated and a portion of that facility is also under quarantine.

The Palm Beach Equine Clinic indicated it is contacting the owners of all horses that were there at the same time as the index horse to make them aware of the situation and find out if any of the horses are exhibiting any signs of EHV-1. So far the department has received no reports of any other horses that were at the clinic showing disease signs.

A horse at Pinehurst Stables, in Jupiter, Florida has also been reported with neurological symptoms of the disease and a sample has been submitted for a lab test.

The Division of Animal Industry is working closely with veterinarians and equine facilities in the impacted locations to monitor the animals and assist with testing.

Owners with sick horses should contact their private veterinarian to examine and treat their horses. Veterinarians suspecting EHV-1 with neurological signs are advised to contact state officials and follow protocols for collecting