By DOUG GRAVES

Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has confirmed positive cases of equine herpes virus (EHP) in five horses at separate locations around the state. The agency has placed multiple facilities under quarantine and is actively investigating where these animals have been and what other animals have been exposed.

ODA has confirmed that two of the positive horses raced at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Pennsylvania. One of the two raced at Miami Valley Gaming near Lebanon, Ohio, in January. Testing confirmed they have EHV-1, but neither animal is showing clinical signs of illness.

Two horses at the University of Findlay in Ohio have tested positive for EHV but are also not showing clinical symptoms. ODA has placed the facility under quarantine. Currently, the department does not believe these animals are connected to the other positive tests, but epidemiological investigations are underway.

“Racehorse owners should take immediate precautions to protect their animals,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Forshey. “All owners should closely observe their horses for any signs of illness and take their temperatures daily. They should immediately contact their veterinarian if they have any concerns.”

A common virus among horses resulted in the euthanasia of a racehorse at Turfway Park in northern Kentucky just last week, and the quarantine of the barn where the horse was stabled. The virus has not halted daily racing at this track.

“There are protocols in place specific to people entering and leaving a quarantined barn,” said Turfway General Manager Chip Bach. “The horses in the quarantined barn can train and exercise but do so separately from the rest of the barn community.”

About 35 horses are stabled in that particular barn; Turfway Park has 15 barns.

“The herpes virus is common in horses, but there are four or five versions,” said Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout. “The horses at Turfway Park were diagnosed with EHV-1, which is the most concerning of the versions. It can express itself as a respiratory and neurological disease.”

According to him, EHV can spread quickly from horse to horse and can cause three different forms of disease: rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease of mostly young horses), abortions in pregnant mares or the neurologic disease EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy, which can be fatal to horses.

The virus is not a human health threat.

EHV can be spread through the air or contaminated clothing and equipment. It’s important that horse owners practice strict biosecurity measures in order to protect their animals and prevent any further spread of disease. Veterinarians may submit nasal swab samples to the either state’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for testing.

About this time last year, Keeneland’s training center barn in Lexington, Ky., had a similar situation with a quarantine because of EHV-1. The quarantine lasted for nearly three weeks. Horses at racetracks throughout the country are vaccinated, Stout said, explaining that the vaccine is not 100 percent effective.

Last December the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed two positive cases of equine herpes virus myeloencephalopathy at a private facility in Champaign County. Out of 24 horses at the facility, five presented with fever greater than 102 degrees Fahrenheit and hind limb swelling. Two of those horses were confirmed positive for EHV-1.

The index case, a 28-year-old Quarter Horse mare, became recumbent and was euthanized. The other horse was also euthanized for unrelated complications. There have been no other findings of EHV since that time.

According to the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), there have been no reports of EHV in the states of Indiana, Iowa, Michigan or Tennessee, nor are they any quarantines in place.

The EDCC works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. For more information about the organization and its efforts, call 859-233-3322.