Six More Florida EHV-1 Cases, 4 in Loxahatchee, 1 in Wellington
12 years ago StraightArrow Comments Off on Six More Florida EHV-1 Cases, 4 in Loxahatchee, 1 in Wellington
Six more cases of EHV-1, the equine herpes virus–four in Loxahatchee and one in Wellington in Palm Beach–were reported by Florida’s Division of Animal Industry and one case near the Winter Equestrian Festival led to cancellation of two international classes and locking down the FEI stabling. The entire Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) show in Ocala, Florida has been quarantined.
Five of of the cases have been linked by the state government agency to the HITS show in Ocala, 240 miles (386km) north of Wellington in Palm Beach. None of the new cases display signs of the neurological form of the disease at ths time.
The Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington is hosting an historic series of four Nations Cups this week, while the Palm Beach Dressage Derby is being held at Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee.
An Incident Command Team of state and federal personnel is being mobilized to implement appropriate control measures.
The five additional horses that are linked to the HITS Show in Ocala have tested positive for EHV-1 wild type.
Four are at Miles Away Farm in Loxahatchee and one is at Redfield Farm in Ocala.
One horse not believed to be linked with any of the HITS-associated quarantined premises has also been positive for EHV-1. This horse is located at Tequestrian Farm in Wellington.
“While the additional positive horses were detected after leaving the HITS Showgrounds, they resided in Tent 3 and Tent 6 in proximity to Tent 7 which housed the index case,” the agency said referring to the horse that was first detected with the virus on Feb. 20.
“With evidence of more widespread exposure, all of the horses at the HITS Showgrounds have been placed under quarantine.
The Division of Animal Industry is continuing its disease investigation and developing protocols for surveillance and quarantine release measures.
Quarantined Farms/Premises:
–Entire HITS Showgrounds, Ocala;
–Up Country Farm/Synergy Farm, Ocala;
–Montera Farm, Ocala;
–Flutterby Farm, Ocala;
–Foxwood Farms, Pinellas Park;
–Black Forest Farm, St. Augustine;
–Littlewood Farm, Wellington;
–Brookmore Farm, Oviedo, and
–Kings Ridge Farm, Reddick.
New Quarantined Premises:
–FEI Tent at PBIEC Show grounds in Wellington;
–Tequestrian Farm, Wellington;
–Miles Away Farm, Loxahatchee, and
–Redfield Farm, Ocala.
Recommendations for horses that have shown at HITS since February 5, 2013 include close monitoring of animals, reporting of fevers greater than 101.5 and strict bio-security measures for at least 21 days after departure from HITS.
Additional movement requirements or restrictions have not been imposed by Florida or any other states at this time.
