Arizona Department of Agriculture
1688 W. Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
(602) 542‐4373 FAX (602) 542‐5420
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: May 18, 2011
Horse Virus Found in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) received laboratory confirmation last night of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV -1) infection in an Arizona horse that showed severe neurological disease. The owners of the affected horse, under the direction of an attending veterinarian, have restricted animal movement to prevent the spread of disease to other horses. They are closely
monitoring the remaining exposed horses.
The horse may have been exposed to the neurological form of EHV-1 during the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships held in Ogden, Utah April 30-May 8, 2011. Utah, Idaho, Colorado, California and New Mexico animal health officials have reported suspected cases of EHV-1 infection in horses that were at the Ogden event.
ADA will notify Arizonans that had their horses entered in the Ogden event to work with their veterinarian to restrict movement and to monitor their horses. Acting State Veterinarian Dr. John Hunt recommends that isolation and monitoring continue for 28 days after any clinical signs of disease are observed.
Equine Herpes Virus is highly contagious among horses but poses no threat to humans. The symptoms in horses may include a fever, nasal discharge, wobbly gait, hind-end weakness, dribbling of urine and diminished tail tone. The virus is easily spread by airborne transmission, horse-to-horse contact and by contact with nasal secretions on equipment, tack, feed and other
surfaces. Caretakers can spread the virus to horses if their hands, clothing, shoes or vehicles are contaminated.
For more information, please contact ADA at (602) 542-4373
www.azda.gov
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