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). The horse has been placed in isolation on the property and is being monitored. There are other horses on the property that have been exposed to the positive horse. Immediate biosecurity measures are in effect on the premises and will be in place for the duration of the 21-day quarantine. Additionally, all the horses on the quarantined premises will be temperature checked twice daily in order to confirm the virus is not spreading. Currently, one of the exposed horses on the property has demonstrated an increase in temperature and is currently being tested and has been placed in isolation.
EHV-1 spreads quickly from horse to horse, has a high morbidity and can cause a wide range of symptoms, from a complete lack of clinical signs to respiratory problems, especially in young horses, and spontaneous abortions in pregnant mares. Transmission of the virus is mostly via direct contact with infected materials; therefore, tack must not be shared between horses and biosecurity measures must be utilized. While highly infectious, the virus does not persist in the environment and is neutralized by hand soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and sunlight.
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 |