New Jersey Department of Agriculture MEMO: EHV-1 Positive Horse in Union County

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