Lexington, KY - The Florida Department of Agriculture has confirmed that a second horse associated with the Ocala Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1) has presented with neurological signs. To date, there have been a total of 7 horses linked to the Ocala outbreak (two neurological cases, and five having tested positive with no evidence of neurologic disease being seen). All positive tests have been reported as Equine Herpes Virus Type 1, the wild strain. An additional horse (Wellington area and no...

Caroline V. Roffman and Her Highness O Wellington, FL - The 30th Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W kicked off with all the horses passing the FEI jog on the beautiful International Horse Sport Showgrounds in Loxahatchee, FL. There was a friendly camaraderie in the air as well as a bit of welcome relief from the heat on a sunny South Florida day as the competitors settled into their routines and vendors arranged their wares for a busy shopping weekend. There was concern about the recent positive...

Lexington, KY - The Florida Department of Agriculture has confirmed the positive diagnosis of Equine Herpes Virus 1 (EHV-1) in horses in Florida. Six of the confirmed cases are linked to the HITS competition in Ocala. An additional horse in the Wellington area (with no identified direct or indirect connection to the Ocala show grounds) has been tested and found to be EHV-1 positive. The Florida Department of Agriculture has posted a detailed report regarding this situation and is updating the...

FEI Veterinary Director Graeme Cooke called for new protocols for the movement of “high health, high performance” horses at the 80th General Session of the OIE. (D. Mordzinski/OIE) The OIE and FEI called for new protocols for the movement of “high health, high performance” sport horses at the 80th General Session of the World Assembly of World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) Delegates in Paris last week. The OIE and FEI are continuing their collaboration to define and create a...

Lausanne, SUI - Veterinary issues were the focal point for the afternoon session at the inaugural FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne (SUI) today, which was attended by over 180 delegates from National Federations, the veterinary community, the International Jumping Riders Club and members of the media. The Forum covered four central themes, delivered by a nine-strong panel headed by John McEwen, Chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee. The key issues covered were: • Changes to the 2013 FEI...

Lexington, KY - The American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation has awarded $262,000 in grants to 15 non-profit organizations and universities working for the health and welfare of horses. These 2010 grant recipients share the Foundation’s mission to support equine research, benevolence, education and the equine community. From funding laminitis research to sponsoring an “equitarian” mission in Mexico, the Foundation is supporting a wide range of initiatives in 2010 and 2011 that...

When elite equestrians compete for world titles this month, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) will be working behind the scenes and before the cameras to ensure the health of equine athletes. The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, held September 25-October 10 in Lexington, KY, is anticipated as the largest sporting event to take place in the United States this year. As the nation’s leading organization dedicated to equine health care, the AAEP and its members will...

It has been more than 21 days since the last horse left the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg, VA, prior to a report of neurological equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) on the premises. On Tuesday, March 13, State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Wilkes announced that, except for four quarantined premises, the state’s horse community may resume normal activities. Immediately upon the report of EHV-1, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) quarantined 10...

The Infectious Disease Task Force of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) has developed guidelines for the control of contagious infectious disease within the horse population. Recommendations are provided for the control of suspected cases of infectious respiratory, neurologic, diarrheal and vesicular disease. The symptom-based guidelines provide a detailed action plan for veterinarians as they address a possible infectious disease outbreak. From the point at which a case of...