UPDATE: A Union County premises was placed under quarantine after a horse tested positive for equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) caused by equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Now a second horse has tested positive after showing an elevated temperature and respiratory signs. No neurological signs were noted by the attending veterinarian. The horse has been placed in isolation on the property and continues to be monitored. Biosecurity measures remain in effect on the premises and the quarantine will be set for 21-days from the detection of the last clinical case. Additionally, all the horses on the quarantined premises will be temperature checked twice daily in order to confirm the virus is not spreading. No movement has occurred onto or off of the property in over a month.
EHM, like other viral diseases affecting horses’ neurological systems, such as EEE and WNV, must be reported to the state veterinarian within 48 hours, and a neurologic disease worksheet must be completed for each case reported. The worksheet is available at the following website and once completed can be faxed to the Division.
http://jerseyvetlab.nj.gov/sample/forms/FORM-R-019%201%20Neurologic%20Disease%20Worksheet.pdf
The NJDA – Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (AHDL) is available to assist with EEE, WNV, and EHV-1 testing. If the horse is located in NJ, the EEE and WNV testing is provided at no cost to the submitter as the AHDL receives funding from the State Mosquito Control Commission to perform the testing.
| EEE | PCR (no charge) 1 ml whole blood PTT*/CSF**/brain tissue |
ELISA (no charge) 1 ml serum, w/cold pack |
2-3 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| WNV | PCR (no charge) Whole blood PTT */CSF**/brain tissue |
ELISA (no charge) 1 ml serum, w/cold pack |
2-3 days |
| EHV-1 | Neurologic PCR ($50.00) Whole blood PTT/Nasal swab, brain tissue |
EHV-1 SN titer ($15.00) 1 ml serum, w/cold pack |
2-4 days |
*PTT-purple top tube **spinal fluid
Contact Dr. Amar Patil (609) 406-6999 or via email at jerseyvetlab@ag.state.nj.us
| Division of Animal Health Phone: (609) 671-6400 Fax: (609) 671-6413 |
Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory Phone: (609) 406-6999 Fax: (609) 671-6414 |
Mail laboratory specimen(s) and laboratory submission form to:
| (If sent via courier service):NJ Department of Agriculture Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory NJPHEAL, 3 Schwarzkopf Drive Ewing, NJ 08628 |
(If sent via U.S. Postal Service):NJ Department of Agriculture Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory P.O. Box 330 Trenton, NJ 08625 |