New Jersey Department of Agriculture MEMO: A Second Horse tests positive for the respiratory form of EHV-1 in Union County

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