The Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, Calif., was placed under quarantine Nov. 3 after a horse displaying neurologic symptoms was confirmed positive for equine herpesvirus-1.
Since the start of quarantine, seven horses have been tested and confirmed positive for equine herpesvirus myelencephalopathy, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
One of the horses was humanely euthanized on Nov. 3. There are currently nine horses in isolation.
“Quarantined isolation is now home to nine horses and all nine are confirmed PCR test negative on nasal swab. Enhanced biosecurity measures are in place in all barns under quarantine and all horses’ temperatures continue to be monitored twice daily,” stated a release by the Equine Disease Communication Center on Nov. 28.
On Nov. 25, an owner violated quarantine with a horse who tested positive for EHM by trailering it to another facility. The second facility is now also under quarantine.
“A quarantine was issued for this confirmed positive EHM horse and this quarantine violation will be pursued to the full extent of our quarantine authority laws,” said a EDCC release on Nov. 25.
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Four of the six initial confirmed positive horses attended a Saddlebred horse show at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas Oct. 24-29. No additional EHV-1 cases have been confirmed in horses at that show. The California Department of Food and Agriculture confirmed that the show facility took biosecurity measures to clean and disinfect the facility.
The Las Vegas National Horse Show took place there Nov. 15-20.
“As suggested and approved by the state veterinarian, a full wash and sanitizing of all the stall areas using Synbiont Agricultural wash took place after all horses left the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center on the morning of Oct. 30,” stated Blenheim Equisports in a press release on Nov. 6. “Since the sanitation took place, no animals have been in the stall or barn areas. The area will remain animal-free for eight days.”
Competition management also brought in entirely new footing for the show.
“I have been working closely with the staff of the South Point Equestrian Center and state officials to implement the appropriate biosecurity protocols with the recently confirmed cases of EHV-1. Their entire staff has been vigilant with their primary concern being the safety and well-being of the horses. Based on consultations with industry experts, officials have deemed the facility safe for horses to return,” said Leslie Schur, DVM, of Desert Pines Equine Center in Las Vegas, in the press release.
