Category: News
First Equine West Nile Case of 2018 Confirmed
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Animal Health Laboratory has confirmed its first equine case of West Nile Virus this year. The affected horse is located in Owyhee County and is under the treatment of a veterinarian.
The most common signs of WNV in horses are fever and weakness, usually in the hindquarters which is sometimes seen as a widened stance, stumbling, leaning to one side and toe dragging. Mental conditions such as fearfulness, lip-smacking, chewing movements and fine muscle tremors may be noticed. In extreme cases of WNV infection, paralysis and inability to stand may follow.
West Nile is most commonly spread to people and horses through the bite of an infected mosquito. The public should continue to take precautions in areas with WNV-affected mosquitoes and precautions should extend to animals.
The ISDA recommends two essential protections for equines and small camelids: vaccination and physical precautions.
“The WNV vaccination remains a very important preventive measure,” said Idaho State Veterinarian Dr. Bill Barton. “Nearly 98 percent of horses that test positive for WNV have never been adequately vaccinated. Equine owners should speak with their veterinarians about the WNV vaccination as well as how to follow an annual booster schedule. Horses that have been vaccinated in previous years need boosters; a one-time vaccination is not enough.”
Physical WNV precautions include using fans and repellants to keep mosquitoes away from equines. Additionally, horse owners should remove standing water on or near their property whenever possible.
Additional information about the virus and a map of known affected counties is available from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s website, www.westnile.idaho.gov
Contact: Dr. Bill Barton
208) 332-8500
ISDA REMINDS BOATERS TO CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Invasive Species Program is reminding boaters to take precautions this holiday week to avoid transporting invasive species, such as quagga and zebra mussels.
The introduction of invasive species into Idaho could damage water use by native species, agriculture, utilities, and municipalities. If quagga or zebra mussels were to infest Idaho’s waters, as they have done in other states, it could cost the state nearly $100 million annually in damage and lost revenue.
Watercraft owners can reduce the risk of spreading invasive species by using three simple but effective strategies:
- CLEAN watercraft and equipment before leaving any waterbody. Inspect and clean watercraft, anchors, planes, trailers, waders, shoes, life jackets and scuba gear for visible plants and animals. Remove and dispose of material on-site in a trash receptacle or on high, dry ground where there is no danger of it washing into a waterbody.
- DRAIN water from all equipment, including motors, live wells, sea strainers, wakeboard ballast tanks, boat hulls, scuba gear, bait buckets, waders, and boots. Pull the boat’s bilge plug and allow water to drain.
- DRY all vessel compartments and lay equipment out to dry before using in a different waterbody or watershed.
“ISDA’s inspection program has been working for a decade to prevent invasive aquatic mussels from entering Idaho,” said ISDA Director Celia Gould. “However, private citizens remain our first – and best – line of defense. We see that the more educated the public is about the threat we face, the more they care and work to prevent moving invasive species.”
In 2017, the ISDA program performed over 93,000 watercraft inspections and intercepted 31 mussel-fouled watercraft. To date in 2018, ISDA inspectors have performed more than 41,000 inspections and intercepted 36 mussel-fouled watercraft.
The ISDA operates 20 inspection stations and three roving stations. Last year, the invasive species program also operated a pilot program near Cotterell for the first 24-hour inspection station. Utilizing data from that pilot station, the ISDA has continued operating the 24-hour Cotterell inspection station and has increased operations to 18 hours per day for other stations located near Cedars, Jackpot, and Malad.
The ISDA reminds boaters and recreationists to prepare to have boats and equipment inspected at check stations. All boaters must stop for mandatory inspection when traveling past an Idaho watercraft station during operating hours. Boat owners are encouraged to participate in the inspection process to learn ways to keep watercraft cleaned, drained and dry. Before launching on Idaho waters, all watercraft must have a current invasive species sticker, which is sold by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
The ISDA also operates a hotline at (877) 336-8676 for anyone needing information or a free decontamination wash for watercraft that may have been in mussel-infested waters. More information on the operation and location of inspection stations is available on the ISDA website: http://invasivespecies.idaho.gov/watercraft-inspection-stations/.
Idaho has invested significant funding and energy into preventing the spread of devastating invasive species to Idaho. There is no one solution to a potential problem of this magnitude, though, and Idahoans’ ability to stay vigilant is our best defense.
Contact: Nic Zurfluh
(208) 332-8686
Neuropathogenic Equine Herpes Virus Confirmed in Idaho Horses – Updated 2/8/18 a.m.
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has received confirmation of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) diagnosed in horses on a premises in Jerome County and a premises in Gooding County. Both premises are privately owned and now are under quarantine.
EHM is caused by a neuropathogenic strain of equine herpes virus (EHV-1) infection and results in neurological symptoms. One additional premises in Gem County also is under quarantine due to a confirmed EHV abortion in a pregnant mare. An epidemiological investigation is under way for the three premises, but no connection between the operations is apparent. The EHV strain affecting the mare in Gem County was a non-neuropathogenic form, which is known to commonly cause respiratory disease as well as abortion in mares.
EHV-1 is highly contagious among horses. The virus poses no health threat to humans. EHV-1 is present in the environment and found in most horse populations around the world. Horses are typically exposed to the virus at a young age with no serious side effects. Research has not yet determined conclusively why horses with EHV-1 can develop the neuropathogenic strain, EHM.
Symptoms frequently associated with EHM infection in horses include a fever greater than 101.5 F, incoordination, hindquarter weakness, lethargy, incontinence and diminished tail tone. The virus is easily spread by airborne transmission, horse-to-horse contact and contact with nasal secretions on tack, feed and other surfaces. People can spread the virus to horses through contaminated hands, clothing, shoes and vehicles. There is no licensed equine vaccine to protect against EHM.
“We encourage owners to contact their veterinarian immediately if they observe any symptoms of illness in their horses,” said Dr. Bill Barton, ISDA State Veterinarian. EHM/EHV is a Notifiable Disease to the State Veterinarian in Idaho. Anyone suspecting or confirming a case of EHM/EHV should call (208) 332-8540 or (208) 332-8570 to report cases.
Horses that may have been exposed to EHV often take several days to demonstrate clinical illness and run the risk of shedding the virus undetected. Exposed horses that travel to shows or exhibitions could expose other horses before disease containment can be implemented.
ISDA urges horse owners to incorporate preventative biosecurity measures while transporting or boarding horses at facilities with regular traffic on and off the grounds and especially where horses are likely to come in contact with new horses such as at a racetrack, rodeo or fairgrounds. Several preventative biosecurity measures are important in minimizing a horse’s risk of contracting the virus:
- Disinfect stalls before use,
- Never share water or feed buckets and tack or grooming equipment,
- Avoid unnecessary contact with other horses.
Additionally, people who work at multiple equine facilities should practice biosecurity measures by washing hands and changing footwear and clothing before entering each facility.
Contacting ISDA
Dr. Bill Barton, Dr. Scott Leibsle or Chanel Tewalt
(208) 332-8540
Resources
https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/DiseaseFactsheetEHV.pdf
https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Guidelines/EHM%20-%20EHV-1%20FAQ1.pdf
https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Guidelines/BiosecurityGuidelinesFinal1.pdf