EHV-1 Neurological Disease Incident

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From the American Horse Council http://www.horsecouncil.org

Background

State and federal animal health officials confirmed several cases of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) and Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in horses that attended a cutting horse event in Ogden, Utah held from April 29 to May 8, 2011. 

The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) implemented immediate biosecurity protocols and notified state veterinarians of individual horses, potentially exposed to the reportable disease EHV-1 during the Ogden event, which may have reentered their respective states.  Horses which were exposed at the event in Utah and have since left the event may expose horses at their home farm or other equine facilities.

Following confirmation of the EHV-1 neurological disease, the American Horse Council (AHC) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and requested federal coordination for data collection, dissemination, and communication efforts among state and federal veterinarians in order to protect the health of horses and mitigate the economic implications of further EHV-1 transmission within states not yet affected.

Current Status

In response, USDA has reached out to state veterinarians, federal Area-Veterinarians-In-Charge (AVICs) and private practitioners to collect current information on the EHV-1 disease incident and develop a coordinated response among state, federal, and industry partners.  The full scope of the current EHV-1 situation and a complete accounting for the number of horses affected and/or exposed has yet to be determined.                                                               

USDA and state veterinarians have initiated an epidemiological investigation and incident response effort, and we anticipate USDA releasing the initial incident report on the exact number of horses confirmed EHV-1 positive in the coming days.  USDA anticipates updating and releasing future incident reports on the current EHV-1 incident on a weekly basis going forward.  If the current incident results in wide-spread exposure or a large influx of positive horses, we anticipate that USDA will provide that information as it becomes available.

There have been numerous articles citing a wide variation in the number of confirmed cases of the EHV-1 neurological disease in horses.  This large disparity in epidemiological information underscores the importance of allowing USDA and state veterinarians to collect the appropriate data, verify the information gathered, and disseminate factually correct information.

Until state and federal animal health officials are able to gather, verify, and disseminate accurate information on the scope of the current incident, it is critical individual horse owners and organizations undertake appropriate and responsible actions to mitigate the welfare and economic implications of potential future transmissions. 

New Travel Requirements for Horses Entering Colorado

As of the release of this notice, only Colorado has implemented enhanced entry requirements in response to the on-going EHV-1 disease situation.  Colorado's requirement reads as follows: 

Standard requirements for horses entering Colorado include a health issued certificate within 30 days of their arrival and a negative Coggins test within 12 months.  The new requirement consists of a permit to enter the state.  Horse owners who wish to bring their horse into Colorado must first call their veterinarian.  That veterinarian can then contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture's State Veterinarian's Office at (303) 239-4161 and request a permit number.  That number would then be included on the health certificate.

Please contact the Colorado State Veterinarian's office (303-239-4161) for additional information on these requirements.  Additionally, if you anticipate transporting your horse across state lines it is recommended you contact the each respective state veterinarian's office prior to departure to determine if there are any restrictions or enhanced entry requirements due to the current EHV-1 incident.

In the interim, the AHC stresses the importance of responsible ownership practices and informed communication among industry organizations.  Please see the following links for additional information on EHV-1 transmission risks and disease mitigation strategies.

Additional Resources

USDA-APHIS website:

EHV information sheets, color brochures, historical information, and a review of disease mitigation strategies are available on the USDA-APHIS website:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/

AAEP website:

General EHV resources through the American Association of Equine Practitioners:
http://www.aaep.org/ehv_resources.htm

Neurologic Disease Guidelines:
http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Neurologic%20Disease%20Guidelines.pdf

Equine Herpes Virus:
http://www.aaep.org/images/files/EquineHerpesvirusGuidelines051711.pdf

Biosecurity Guidelines:
http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Biosecurity_instructions%201.pdf

Biosecurity Instructions for Caretakers - English & Spanish:
http://www.aaep.org/pdfs/control_guidelines/Instructions%20to%20grooms.pdf

National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) website:

For history of the current outbreak and additional outreach materials:

http://www.nchacutting.com/

ACVIM Consensus Statement on EHV-1:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0304.x/pdf

The Jockey Club Launches “Thoroughbred Connect” to Assist in Placement of Horses

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NEWS RELEASE 

May 16, 2011
Contact: John Cooney (859) 224-2714 

The Jockey Club Launches “Thoroughbred Connect” to Assist in Placement of Horses 

The Jockey Club today announced the launch of Thoroughbred ConnectTM, a free online service designed to assist with placement of Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing or breeding careers. 

A component of The Jockey Club’s Interactive RegistrationTM, Thoroughbred Connect enables Registry customers to express their willingness to be contacted by the possessor of a horse in the event the horse is in need of placement. Those interested in providing assistance or aftercare have the ability to attach their name and contact information to the electronic records of Thoroughbreds within The Jockey Club’s database using Thoroughbred Connect. 

Similarly, a person who is seeking placement for a Thoroughbred in his possession can log into Thoroughbred Connect and request the contact information attached to the horse. The possessor of the horse may then contact that prospective owner directly to perform due diligence and discuss potential arrangements to transfer the horse. 

Thoroughbred Connect is accessible directly at thoroughbredconnect.com. 

“With broad participation, Thoroughbred Connect will cast a wide net and help ensure that more Thoroughbreds are properly cared for in a safe environment,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “This platform provides an easy and convenient way for those with the means, capacity and desire to help any horse they have owned, admired or connected with over the years. 

“Thoroughbred Connect is a natural extension of our ongoing effort to enhance the safety and welfare of Thoroughbreds and leverages our database and easy-to-use technology platform,” Gagliano said. “We encourage owners to use Thoroughbred Connect and make others aware of it.” 

In 2009, The Jockey Club implemented a voluntary retirement checkoff program that enables owners and breeders, at the time of foal registration, to support the retirement, re-training and adoption efforts of Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). 

The Jockey Club, through its commercial subsidiaries, has supplemented checkoff contributions with an annual donation of $100,000 to each organization and, with its donations in 2011, will have contributed $300,000 to each. Funds from The Jockey Club are directed specifically to TCA’s Thoroughbred re-training and adoption initiatives and to TRF’s vocational training programs at correctional facilities. 

The Jockey Club also provides free Tattoo Identification ServicesTM through Interactive Registration to help owners identify tattooed but unknown Thoroughbreds in their possession. Each successful lookup includes a complimentary five-generation pedigree, auction history search and race record. 

Tattoo lookup is also incorporated into Registry mobile, enabling tattooed but unknown Thoroughbreds to be identified with the convenience of a smartphone. 

Additional information about Thoroughbred Connect, the retirement checkoff program and Tattoo Identification Services is available through The Jockey Club Registry’s website at registry.jockeyclub.com. 

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred racing and breeding, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms, among others. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

Board of Directors Meeting

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Day of Education

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2011 ♦ 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

LAHBPA MAIN OFFICE

1535 GENTILLY BLVD.

NEW ORLEANS, LA 70119

♦♦♦

PRESENTATIONS WILL INCLUDE:

PENSION, MEDICAL, WORKERS’ COMP, 1993, INC. AND 

 OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE HBPA.  A BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS MEETING WILL FOLLOW AT 4:00 PM

♦♦♦

 ♦  LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED 

♦  ALL MEMBERS ARE WELCOME!

Click here to download the meeting schedule

Click here to download the agenda

Click here to download a copy of this notice

Articles about RCI's statements on medication

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NOTICE

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     To: LHBPA Members 

     From: LHBPA 

     Date: January 25, 2011 

     Subject: Pony Lead Fee Increase 

As you are probably aware, the United States has been experiencing an extraordinary long period of financial upheaval which includes interest rates being very low and they are now near zero percent.  Since income from interest is the HBPA’s primary source of money for general operations, the HBPA is in temporary need of additional general operating funds. 

To make up some of the lost interest income, the per start service fee (Pony Lead Fee) will increase to Sixteen Dollars ($16.00) per start Effective February 1, 2011.

We are sorry for any additional burden this will place on the membership and we are working to eliminate or reduce this fee as soon as is possible which may be as early as July.

Click here to download a copy of this notice