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PRCA Livestock Health Alert

Please read the following information regarding livestock health issues and take the necessary precautions.

The PRCA wants to alert our membership to a confirmed case of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) in both Nevada and Texas. Information can be found at the following locations:

Information about Equine Herpes Virus in Texas (Click header for more information)

Prior to confirmation, the positive horse attended barrel racing events at the NRS Arena in Decatur, TX on February 15 and Northside Arena in Fort Worth, TX on February 14.

Information about Equine Herpes Virus in Nevada (Click header for more information)

On Saturday, Feb. 18, the Nevada Department of Agriculture began receiving accounts of horses exposed to equine herpes virus type 4. The NDA’s state veterinarian, Dr. JJ Goicoechea, recommends postponing this weekend’s high school rodeo in Moapa Valley because some horses present at last weekend’s rodeo in Boulder City are now showing signs of disease.

LIVESTOCK DISESE PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS

The PRCA urges horse owners to follow these steps for preventing the spread of livestock diseases such as Equine Herpes Virus.

  • Contact your veterinarian to ensure your horses are up to date on their vaccinations.
  • Do not share water buckets, hay nets or any other feeding/drinking equipment.
  • Do not submerge the water hose in your bucket when filling the bucket.
  • Do not share tack including halters, head stalls, bits, brushes, etc.
  • Avoid nose to nose contact with your horse and others.
  • Do not tie your horse to fences and rails where other horses are tied.
  • Take your horse’s temperature in the morning and at night. If you horse is running a temperature above 101.5˚F, contact a veterinarian immediately. A temperature tracking log can be found here.
  • Clean and disinfect trailers, stabling, barns, and other equine contact surfaces thoroughly. (It is important to remember that organic materials decrease the effectiveness of the disinfectant. All organic materials should be removed prior to disinfection)

CONTACT THE STATE VETERINARIAN FOR EACH STATE YOU WILL BE TRAVELING THROUGH OR TO FOR THE LATEST IN LIVESTOCK IMPORT REQUIREMENTS.

Contact information for State Animal Health Officials

What is EHV?
Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is another name for the neurologic disease associated with equine herpesvirus (EHV) infections. Neurological signs appear as a result of damage to blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord associated with EHV infection. Interference with the blood supply leads to tissue damage and a subsequent loss in normal function of areas in the brain and spinal cord.

Transmission
The most common way for EHV to spread is by direct horse-to-horse contact. This virus is shed from infected horses via the respiratory tract or through direct or indirect contact with an infected aborted fetus and fetal membranes. Horses may appear to be perfectly healthy yet spread the virus via the secretions from their nostrils.
It is important to realize that EHV can also be spread indirectly through contact with physical objects contaminated with infectious virus.

Jed Pugsley
Livestock Program Administrator
jpugsley@prorodeo.com
(719) 528-4782 (Office)
(719) 246-9654 (Cell)

Courtesy of PRCA

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