Latest News and Information
- Virginia State Veterinarian Urges Strict Biosecurity In Light Of Equine Herpes Virus-1 Outbreak
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) encourages all horse owners to go to its website, www.vdacs.virginia.gov, for updates on the outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) in several western states. A horse button on the homepage will take readers directly into the EHV site which contains updates on the situation, as well as fact sheets and biosecurity information. VDACS recommends that horse owners and managers be aware of the signs of EHV-1 and practice good biosecurity to limit the spread of infection. Horse owners should also consult their veterinarians about the immunization status of their horses.
Dr. Richard Wilkes, State Veterinarian with VDACS, says that to date, he is not aware of any Virginia horses infected with EHV-1 or of any horses that have come in close contact with infected horses. “It’s always a good idea for horse owners to practice good biosecurity,” he said, “but it is especially important whenever we have an outbreak of a highly contagious disease. I urge every horse owner, stable owner, equine event planner and everyone else who comes in contact with horses on a daily basis to be extra vigilant. We have seen a very high level of cooperation from federal officials and the affected states and I am cautiously optimistic that the current outbreak will not spread to Virginia. But the reality of our global world is that livestock owners must be constantly vigilant and observe strict biosecurity practices to protect our flocks and herds.”
Wilkes adds that EHV-1 is not transmissible to people, but it is a serious disease of horses that can cause respiratory distress, neurologic disease and death. The most common way for the disease to spread is by direct horse-to-horse contact. The virus also can spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing and hands.
For more biosecurity tips, horse owners should visit the USDA website
- May 20 EHV-1 Update - Dr. Richard L. Wilkes, State Veterinarian with the Virginia Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), confirmed today that no horses that competed at the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Western National Championship have been traced to Virginia at this time.
VDACS EHV-1 update website link
More than 40 cases of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) or Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) have been identified recently in horses that attended the NCHA Western National Championship event in Ogden, Utah April 29 to May 8, 2011. Thirty-three of confirmed cases of EHV-1 or EHM cases have been reported in eight Western states: CA, CO, ID, NM, OR, TX, UT, WA. The NCHA has notified State Animal Health Officials of horses from their states that were entered in the NCHA competition and may have been exposed to the virus.
No Virginia horses, nor horses from states adjacent to Virginia, are known to have been at the event at this time.
“We are monitoring the situation carefully outside of Virginia and will do everything we can to protect our horses,” said Dr. Wilkes. “We cannot promise that we can keep EHV-1 out of Virginia, but with our horse owners on high alert and our constant contact with State Veterinarians and the horse industry in affected states, we are cautiously optimistic.”
Wilkes added, “Even though no horses have been traced to Virginia from the NCHA Western National Championship, horse owners are reminded that whenever horses are comingled there is some risk for a number of diseases including EHV. Every owner should adopt sound biosecurity practices to protect their animals at equine events and upon their return to their home stable. Horse owners should work with their veterinarians for recommendations for vaccination programs, biosecurity practices and methods for early disease detections to minimize the risks of their horses becoming ill.”
At this time, Dr. Wilkes has not requested cancellations of any horse events in Virginia.
- Virginia Horse Council Announces New Insurance Program for Members
The Virginia Horse Council(VHC) is offering an exciting new member benefit. The VHC has established an Excess Liability Insurance Program with Equisure, Inc., which offers Horse Council members liability coverage in the amount of $1 million for horse-related activities.
The cost of the policy per annual membership is relatively low and, if an equine-related incident occurred, this insurance would help to protect members or anyone riding members’ horses up to the $1 million policy amount. Annual cost of the policy is $25 for individuals and $45 for families. If an individual decides to purchase the insurance coverage, this fee is in addition to their regular VHC membership dues.
All membership dues will now be due on January 1st of each year due to the new insurance plan and the coverage year. With the insurance option, the cost {insurance + membership renewal} would be $50 for individuals; for families, it would be $75. If individuals choose not to sign up for the insurance, the regular VHC dues continue to be $25 for individuals and $30 for families.
This policy is in excess over any other valid liability insurance individuals may have. This coverage does not apply to businesses and business related activities (i.e., horse trainers or breeding operations).
If you already have primary insurance coverage, this policy would be in excess over that policy. If you have no insurance, this policy would become your primary coverage. Coverage would commence when membership to the VHC and the insurance premium are paid(January 1st). Coverage would end on December 31st of every year. To retain their equine liability insurance under the VHC policy, members must pay their membership fee and insurance premium to be received in the Horse Council office by January 1st of each year.
For more details on this insurance program visit the Association Resource Group website -- the “frequently asked questions” section.
- www.VirginiaHorseTours.com
The Virginia Horse Industry Board, working with the Virginia Tourism Corporation(VTC), has developed a new "landing page". This new “sitelet” is designed to promote the Virginia horse industry to tourists, particularly those thousands of international visitors planning on coming to the U.S. for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) taking place later this fall in Kentucky.
The goal is to entice these visitors to stop off in Virginia either before or after they visit the WEG and spend some of those euros and days here in the Commonwealth. Highlights of several upcoming Virginia equine events, suggested itineraries, driving distances to Dulles Airport, and links to other key sections of the VTC site, such as hotels, possible other stops of interest, etc., can also be easily “clicked on.”
You will also find information on the Virginia Horse Industry Board and the Virginia Horse Council with direct links to both websites. Visit www.VirginiaHorseTours.com it is a valuable resource you may wish to add as a link on your website.
- Voluntary CEM Testing for Stallion Owners
Stallion owners are asked to participate in a voluntary surveillance test effort for contagious equine metritis (CEM.) The purpose of this voluntary testing is to help animal health authorities collect accurate information on the presence (or absence) of CEM in the United States. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Veterinary Services program has set a national goal of 3,000 participants in this initiative. If you are interested in participating or would like more information please contact the APHIS VS Virginia Area Office in Richmond at 804-343-2560 or email us at VSVA@aphis.usda.gov
The plan is outlined in the Stakeholder’s announcement and
FAQ links listed below.
Ellen Buck, DVM, veterinary medical officer for APHIS, discussed the plan during a panel discussion on CEM at the 2009 AAEP Convention. She said the group was contacted by stallion owners who wanted reassurance their animals were clear during a recent outbreak. While their horses weren't tested in connection with the investigation, she's hoping these same owners will "step up to the plate" and volunteer to participate within this screening effort's reduced cost structure.
"It's an opportunity to find out, without great financial impact, that your horse is free of CEM," said APHIS spokesman Jim Barrett.
CEM is caused by a bacterium called Taylorella equigenitalis. It is a transmissible, exotic venereal disease in horses. It usually results in infertility in mares and, on rare occasions, can cause mares to spontaneously abort. Infected stallions exhibit no clinical signs but can carry the CEM bacteria for years. CEM is commonly transmitted during sexual intercourse but also might be transmitted indirectly through artificial insemination or contact with contaminated hands or objects. It can be treated with disinfectants and antibiotics. Aphis CEM Fact Sheet link listed below.
An ongoing investigation, which began in December 2008, uncovered 22 positive stallions and five positive mares. Authorities located 992 exposed animals, of which 93.5% have completed testing and treatment and are known to be free of T. equigenitalis.
"We felt confident that we did not have endemic CEM, but this outbreak certainly raised that specter," Buck said.
This final survey is designed to increase the confidence that the disease has been eradicated in the United States through the efforts to contain this disease incident.
For the surveillance effort, all samples must be collected by an accredited practitioner. APHIS will pay for laboratory diagnostic testing costs and shipment of samples to an approved CEM laboratory, but will not pay for sample collection costs.
Any stallion found to be positive will be quarantined, then treated and re-tested at APHIS' expense. APHIS will pay for the shipping of samples and the laboratory diagnostic testing associated with tracing, testing and treatment horses exposed to positive stallions, but will not pay for sample collection, test mares, or treatment. The sampling will begin this month.
• One page information sheet for stallion owners (PDF)
• One page fact sheet (PDF)
• FAQs (PDF)
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- American Horse Council Updates
National Welfare Code of Practice Endorsed
> Read the Welfare Code of Practice American Horse Council
A national Welfare Code of Practice has been endorsed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the U.S. Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Trotting Association. The Welfare Code of Practice, drafted by the American Horse Council, outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care, use, enjoyment, transport and retirement of horses.
“We hope that as many organizations as possible will endorse it to show that the industry as a whole is committed to the welfare and safety of the horse,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “We know that the safety and welfare of our horses is very important to us. We hope that this code will be another indication to others that the horse community takes its responsibilities to our horses very seriously.”
Many associations have undertaken studies, reviews, and initiatives that indicate their commitment to the welfare of their horses. Representatives from numerous national organizations provided an update on their welfare activities at the AHC’s National Issues Forum last summer. That forum is available for on-demand viewing on www.horsetv.com. It is important to share these efforts with the horse community so everyone can educate themselves on the best welfare practices throughout the sport. This generic code is simply a continuation of that effort.
The AHC’s Welfare Code of Practice is not intended to replace or pre-empt those activities or any rules and regulations specific to a segment of the industry. Rather it is hoped that the endorsement of a broad, more generic Welfare Code of Practice by as many organizations as possible will be another indication to the public, the media, federal and state officials and the horse community that the horse industry “Puts the Horse First.”
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