Outbreak Identifier: 5257
Suspected Case – No Quarantine
Number Suspected: 1;
Facility Type: Showgrounds;
Notes: The Colorado Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian’s Office was recently notified of an equine neurologic case in Weld county. The State Veterinarian’s Office has been collaborating with the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Colorado Horse Park, and private practicing veterinarians involved in the case. The horse was on site for an event at the Colorado Horse Park from June 22 until June 25, 2022 before returning to its home in Weld County. Two days after returning home, the horse began displaying neurologic signs consistent with Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), a disease caused by EHV-1 virus. The horse remains hospitalized at CSU VTH with continued supportive therapy. This case is clinically compatible with EHM, however current testing has not confirmed the diagnosis at this time. Because the horse was removed from the premises prior to the onset of clinical signs, the risk of exposure to horses at the horse park is low. Horse owners and attendees at the Colorado Horse Park should monitor their horses with twice daily temperatures and for EHM-compatible clinical signs. If fevers or neurologic signs are noticed, please contact your veterinarian who will consult with the State Veterinarian’s Office. The Colorado Horse Park is not currently under quarantine, but will continue to work closely with event veterinarians and the State Veterinarian’s Office. The park will continue to monitor the situation and implement enhanced biosecurity practices, including the routine monitoring of twice daily temperatures. If elevated temperatures or clinical signs are noticed while on site at the Colorado Horse Park, please contact show management and the horse show veterinarian. For more information go to the EHM Factsheet.
Updates on current disease outbreaks are listed on our EDCC website as they occur and will include the date listed, disease name, location and current status. Specific premises will not be named but the general location by town, county and state will be listed. When locations, events or horses are at risk they will be listed. Updates will be posted as they are received. All information is sourced from: http://equinediseasecc.org/alerts/outbreaks