We’ve received a report that a horse that attended a show at Sonoma Horse Park in Petaluma, CA has been confirmed positive for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) secondary to EHV-1. Though the horse did not compete in any events, it was transported to a veterinary hospital at the onset of neurological signs. All horses from the exposed barn are being removed from the premises and isolated under quarantine at their home premises.
Veterinary sources report a horse that tested positive died the evening of July 24th, 2021.
Though the horses from the specific barn have been removed to quarantine, the exposure happened as early as July 19th. With events such as Junior Hunter Finals ending Wednesday the 21st, many horses left unknowingly left the property to move to other horse shows including Blenheim (San Juan Capistrano, CA), Kentucky (Lexington, KY), Traverse City (Williamsburg, MI), etc.
As a general reminder, nose-to-nose contact between horses should be limited, and sharing equipment (tack or feeding) between horses should be avoided unless thoroughly disinfected between uses. Also as a general reminder, any horse attending an equine competition should be isolated for at least 7 days, ideally 14 days, upon return to his or her home premises.
For additional details, we suggest contacting USEF’s Katlynn Wilbers on the safety of the rated competitions you are attending.
Katlynn Wilbers
Kwilbers@usef.org
(859)225-6981
Additionally, you can track EHV-1 outbreaks yourself at the EDCC.
