California Polo Pony Euthanized Due to EHM

A polo horse in Riverside County, California, was euthanized after contracting EHM, and at least nine horses are exposed.
A polo horse in Riverside County, California, was euthanized after contracting EHM, and at least nine horses are exposed.
A polo horse in Riverside County, California, was euthanized after contracting EHM, and at least nine horses are exposed. | Wikimedia Commons

A 17-year-old polo horse mare at a polo facility in Riverside County, California, was confirmed positive for equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) secondary to EHV-1 on March 16The horse was displaying nonspecific lameness followed by severe neurological signs on March 14. Clinical signs included dragging a pelvic limb, decreased appetite, ataxia, reactivity on cervical spine palpation and recumbency. The horse was euthanized due to the severity of her clinical signs.

Nine horses housed with the mare were immediately isolated at an adjacent, empty premises. They are under official quarantine with enhanced biosecurity measures.

The mare had not participated in any polo practices or matches over the past week. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CFDA) is working with the attending veterinarian and polo club management to ensure all horses that have visited the polo facility over the past two weeks are monitored closely. All polo activities in the local area have been voluntarily postponed until further notice.

EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.

EHV 101

Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and EHM.

In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected. In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include cough, decreased appetite, depression, and a nasal discharge. Pregnant mares typically show no signs of infection before they abort, and abortions usually occur late in gestation (around eight months) but can be earlier. Abortions can occur anywhere from two weeks to several months following infection with EHV-1.

Horses with EHM usually have a fever at the onset of the disease and might show signs of a respiratory infection. A few days later, neurologic signs such as ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the fore- and hind limbs, urine retention and dribbling, loss of tail tone, and recumbency (inability to rise) develop.

Herpesvirus is easily spread by nose-to-nose or close contact with an infectious horse; sharing contaminated equipment including bits, buckets, and towels; or clothing, hands, or equipment of people who have recently had contact with an infectious horse. Routine biosecurity measures, including hygiene and basic cleaning and disinfection practices, should be in place at all times to help prevent disease spread.

Current EHV-1 vaccines might reduce viral shedding but are not protective against the neurologic form of the disease. Implementing routine biosecurity practices is the best way to minimize viral spread, and the best method of disease control is disease prevention.

Brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim, The Art of the Horse

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