Post by Calaminty Jane on Mar 8, 2007 9:49:48 GMT -5
Horse quarantine released
Released: March 6, 2007
Release # 07020
Contact:
Karen Grava, Media Relations
(860) 486-3530 (office)
STORRS, Conn. — No new clinical cases of equine herpes virus infection have occurred at the University of Connecticut in more than a month and late yesterday Connecticut state veterinarian Mary Jane Lis released the quarantine of the 80-horse herd.
Follow up testing of all exposed horses including all horses housed in the affected barns is negative indicating that the animals are no longer contagious, Lis said.
”The strict biosecurity practices and quarantine initiated at the onset of the outbreak prevented the spread of infection to the rest of the UConn herd and to horses outside the UConn herd,” said Daniel Fletcher, professor and head of the animal science department. “We are pleased with the outcome of this situation.”
The University’s 80-horse herd was quarantined in early January to prevent the spread of the disease outside the herd.
Twenty-three horses within the herd have shown clinical signs of equine herpes infection. Five of them exhibited neurological signs of the disease. Two of those have mild residual effects of the disease but none became recumbent (unable to stand) and none died or were euthanized. All of the other affected horses are fully recovered.
Classes and other activities directly involving horses were curtailed or modified during the quarantine and the Department of Animal Science is deciding what activities will be resumed this semester, said Sandra Bushmich, associate professor of pathobiology and veterinary science.
Equine rhinopneumonitis is a common horse disease. The disease causes respiratory infections in young horses, and usually resolves itself. Less frequently, the virus may cause more serious neurological disease or abortion.
Equine herpes virus infection, or equine rhinopneumonitis, EHV, is passed from horse to horse through respiratory discharges. People cannot contract EHV, although they may inadvertently spread the disease from horse to horse by contact or by using contaminated equipment. There is no public health risk associated with this equine disease.
EHV-1 and other horse health issues will be discussed at the New England Conference on Equine Health and Management at UConn on Saturday March 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The conference is open to the public. More information can be obtained at www.canr.uconn.edu/ansci/equine/cehm/htm
More information about EHV and UConn’s horses can be found at www.canr.uconn.edu/ansci
Released: March 6, 2007
Release # 07020
Contact:
Karen Grava, Media Relations
(860) 486-3530 (office)
STORRS, Conn. — No new clinical cases of equine herpes virus infection have occurred at the University of Connecticut in more than a month and late yesterday Connecticut state veterinarian Mary Jane Lis released the quarantine of the 80-horse herd.
Follow up testing of all exposed horses including all horses housed in the affected barns is negative indicating that the animals are no longer contagious, Lis said.
”The strict biosecurity practices and quarantine initiated at the onset of the outbreak prevented the spread of infection to the rest of the UConn herd and to horses outside the UConn herd,” said Daniel Fletcher, professor and head of the animal science department. “We are pleased with the outcome of this situation.”
The University’s 80-horse herd was quarantined in early January to prevent the spread of the disease outside the herd.
Twenty-three horses within the herd have shown clinical signs of equine herpes infection. Five of them exhibited neurological signs of the disease. Two of those have mild residual effects of the disease but none became recumbent (unable to stand) and none died or were euthanized. All of the other affected horses are fully recovered.
Classes and other activities directly involving horses were curtailed or modified during the quarantine and the Department of Animal Science is deciding what activities will be resumed this semester, said Sandra Bushmich, associate professor of pathobiology and veterinary science.
Equine rhinopneumonitis is a common horse disease. The disease causes respiratory infections in young horses, and usually resolves itself. Less frequently, the virus may cause more serious neurological disease or abortion.
Equine herpes virus infection, or equine rhinopneumonitis, EHV, is passed from horse to horse through respiratory discharges. People cannot contract EHV, although they may inadvertently spread the disease from horse to horse by contact or by using contaminated equipment. There is no public health risk associated with this equine disease.
EHV-1 and other horse health issues will be discussed at the New England Conference on Equine Health and Management at UConn on Saturday March 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The conference is open to the public. More information can be obtained at www.canr.uconn.edu/ansci/equine/cehm/htm
More information about EHV and UConn’s horses can be found at www.canr.uconn.edu/ansci