Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

September 28, 2011 -

Each year several sporadic cases of the mosquito born virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) spring up in susceptible (non-vaccinated) horses around Wisconsin. This fall seems to be an odd year; at last report 25 cases of confirmed EEE have been diagnosed in north central Wisconsin. EEE is a viral disease transmitted between equine via mosquitoes. The primary clinical signs are neurological and may include depression, loss of appetite, drooping eyelids or lip, aimless wandering, circling or paralysis. There is no specific treatment for EEE, just prevention. Vaccination is the leading preventative measure and is considered to provide excellent protection. The current cases in Wisconsin are of non or incomplete immunized horses. For Bristol Vet patients currently (2011) vaccinated we are not recommending same year boost especially for those staying home the rest of 2011. Those traveling (show, training, camping, etc) to north central Wisconsin please call the clinic and we may advise a booster if your situation warrants. Due to the time of the year and the below average temperatures this fall, we expect the risk factors to decline rapidly the remainder of this year. This however is a reminder to all equine owners that equine infectious diseases are always at large and lapses in preventative measures such as current immunizations may put your equine companion are risk. We at Bristol Vet feel that this EEE occurrence is a regional and limited episode, and would be of more concern should it be July or August. With cooler weather already upon us we will continue to monitor the situation, but we feel season and quick response by local, state and federal animal health professions will limit the risk for us here in southeastern Wisconsin. Bristol Veterinary Service will continue to watch the situation and notify you should things become an issue in our area.

EHV-1 (Equine Herpes Virus type 1)

For more information on EHV-1 you can go to the AAEP’s website at aaep.org.

June 14, 2011 - The USDA and AAEP’s most recent update on the western states’ EHV-1 outbreak continues to bode well for the midwest and eastern US. As of June 8th no newly identified premises with suspects or confirmed cases have been reported in either the western states or here in the midwest. The midwest still has zero cases to date. We will continue to monitor the situation and give you timely updates when they are available.

June 7, 2011 - As of June 1st, 2011 the USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Service has released an update on all known exposed, suspect and confirmed cases of EHV-1 and its neurological form which showed up in our western states about a month ago. As of this release no cases suspect or confirmed have been seen in any of the states east of the Rocky Mountains. This news bodes well our equine population and summer season. With new cases surfacing in this region of the country we still advise horse owners to keep informed and a watchful eye on where you are going this summer. We continue to recommend that you get out there and enjoy you horses. We can find no reason for you to shy away or cancel plans at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and should things change we will notify you.

May 2011- EHV-1 (Equine Herpes Virus type 1)

EHV-1 (Equine Herpes Virus type 1) or Rhinopnuemonitis of the neurological strain has surfaced in several western states. As of this posting Wisconsin and Illinois along with our neighboring Midwestern states have not been visited by any active cases. Two horses in Wisconsin and two in Illinois have been potentially exposed while showing in Utah in early May. All of these horses are being monitored and have to date shown no signs of the disease.

EHV-1, commonly called Rhino is a herpes virus that primarily manifests as a respiratory infection. Certain strains of the virus may infect pregnancies and the most worrisome is the neurological stain. EHV-1 as a neurological disease often leads to serious permanent disease or worse and is contagious.

At this point in time no active cases have been reported in the Midwest. Therefore Bristol Veterinary Service is taking a conservative but cautious approach. The speed of the internet and social networking has created both a wonderful tool for monitoring the development of this outbreak, but has also caused a lot of misinformation and panic. It is important that you seek information from official and authoritative sources while following this EHV-1 event.

Bristol Veterinary Service is monitoring developments daily, checking with state agencies and veterinary associations for the latest updated information. As we receive new and pertinent information we will pass it on to our clients via our website bristolvetservice@yahoo.com (click on medical alerts) or from our health alert e-mails should you be on our e-mail list.

Since there have been no actual cases in Wisconsin, Illinois or surrounding states we are recommending the following;

· We find no evidence why you should cancel your current plans to travel or show with your horses. If traveling to the western US. Check with us as to the status of EHV-1 in a specific state.

· Increase you awareness and be more vigilant when showing, traveling or new horses arrive at your stable. Biosecurity procedures need to be dusted off or developed for your facility. Just use common sense and look for red flags like ill horses both at home or away and make choices on protecting your horses by tightening use of shared equipment, common water and feed sources and staying clear of ill animals.

· Ask visitors or the management to take extra steps to maintain biosecurity when visiting your facility.

· Check routinely with authoritative sources for updated and correct information on new or changing developments and recommendations.

For more specific information on EHV-1(disease signs, how transmitted, treatment, control and prevention including immunizations) we suggest you visit the American Association of Equine Practitioner website at www.aaep.org and click on EHM & EHV Resources for the horse owner located at the right margin of their home page.

Should EHV-1 show up locally, additional or different recommendations may follow. At this point we do not feel it necessary to dramatically change your equine show or travel plans. What you need to do is stay informed, use caution with common sense when traveling or around other horses and enjoy your horse in 2011.

Should you have questions or specific concerns please do not hesitate to contact our office at 262-859-2560 and one of our staff will be help to answer your questions.

September 2010 - Equine Eastern Encephalitis (EEE)

Equine Eastern Encephalitis (aka EEE or sleeping sickness) is an infectious disease passed to horses and human via mosquitoes, with birds acting as the reservoir for this virus. Luckily for your equine population most horses are annually vaccinated for EEE and the vaccine provides excellent protection.

Unfortunately one case of EEE in both Northeastern Illinois and Southeastern Wisconsin has been diagnosed. For those of us with horses currently vaccinated (included in almost all spring shots) there is nothing for you to do with the exception of continuing mosquito control around your horses. At this point in time we do know that the horse in Wisconsin with EEE was never vaccinated for the virus and like all non-vaccinates is at a high risk of susceptibility if bitten by an infected mosquito. We therefore recommend booster or vaccinating all horses never vaccinated or delinquent on vaccinations for EEE. This group should include foals that would normally start their vaccines at 4-6 months. Horses vaccinated in 2010 prior to April 1st should contact our office for recommendations on your individual horses.

More good news is that we are at the end of the bug season and once we have some prolonged cooler weather this concern should be gone for the rest of the year. A reminder for those of you traveling to warmer regions this fall and winter, EEE has been especially active in some southern states and out east. Review your vaccination status and ask your vet as to whether EEE has been present to where you are traveling. It is not a bad idea to booster your horse 2-3 weeks prior to visiting these areas. This should include West Nile which is a cousin of EEE and Western Encephalitis (also included in most spring shots). Like EEE, West Nile is a minimum risk for currently vaccinated horses. The vaccines provided excellent protection (never 100%) but remember that does not mean the disease is not out there. As indicated in the first line of this health alert birds are the reservoir or latent host for several diseases that can afflict our horses. Ever present and waiting for our guard to be down before striking.

May 18, 2010 - Piroplasmosis update -Michigan
All equidae (horses, donkeys, ponies, zebras) must test negative to an official test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) within the current calendar year, except equidae that are both nursing and are six months of age or younger. A "Calendar Year" means the current 13-month period commencing with December 1 and ending December 31 of the following year (Public Act 466 of 1988, as amended, the Animal Industry Act). Test results, date, name of laboratory, and accession number of the test must be on the health certificate.

All equidae must have a current official interstate health certificate or official certificate of veterinary inspection. Health certificate is valid for 30 days.

PIROPLASMOSIS - Equidae coming from or originating from any state in which there has been a diagnosed case of piroplasmosis in the past 12 months shall meet the following:
Have tested negative by c-ELISA or IFA to piroplasmosis within the past twelve months prior to importation.
Be accompanied by an interstate health certificate or certificate of veterinary inspection.
Horses from premises currently under quarantine for piroplasmosis shall not be imported into Michigan.

February 22, 2010 - Piroplasmosis requirements for passports

Please note that is your are traveling to Michigan from Wisconsin with your horse, an additional blood test (Piroplasmosis) is required. Until now, a current coggings and health certificate was all that was needed. Testing for piroplasmosis is a simple blood test but the labs approved for running the test are limited. Our concern is that turn around time necessary for the drawing the blood, shipping and return of test results may take a week or more. Please plan ahead, allowing enough time for testing and results. We would hate for you to miss your trip due to these new regulations.

For those who have passports for their horses or are thinking of getting a passport for their horse we can start them or update them. For information on acquiring an equine passport go to www.usef.org/. Click here for USEF passport application forms.

August 13, 2009 - Livestock Premises Registration

Premises registration is now mandatory in the state of Wisconsin. Registration is for the premises only, not individual animals, and is a way of identifying susceptible populations should a disease outbreak occur.

Who needs to register? Anyone who has livestock on their property. “Livestock” includes, but is not limited to, horses, camelids, goats, pigs, & sheep. All farms, stables, & hobby farms are included, even if you have just a couple of animals in your backyard.

There is no charge for the Premise Registration. For answers to questions and to find out how to register, you can go to the Website for the Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/premises/index.jsp .

Premise registration is becoming required for some shows and is required for health certificates, both within the state of Wisconsin and in other states.

You can also call the state with any questions at: 608-224-4680 or email at annette.carasco@wisconsin.gov .

May 5, 2009 - H1N1 Flu - Swine Flu

With the recent media coverage of the H1N1 flu, we at Bristol Vet Service would like to relay some information provided to us by the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. The important thing to remember is that this strain, to date, has no evidence it originated in pigs or that it is spread from pigs to people.

Be assured that the swine practitioners have taken every step necessary to increase surveillance even though there is NO evidence this virus is found in pigs. This virus is spread from person to person. The incubation period of this virus is estimated to be 1 – 8 days, typically about 48 hours.

As with any flu, good general health hygiene is important. Be vigilant about washing your hands, particularly after coughing or sneezing. If you experience flu-like symptoms, contact your physician.

February 4, 2009 - Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)

Several inquires have been received in regard to recent CEM (Contagious Equine Metritis) medical alert. CEM is currently present in Wisconsin, in addition to forty-four other states. Several stallions were found to have exposed several hundred mares throughout the country, and state and federal veterinary officials have traced the exposed individuals to impose quarantine and treatment, if necessary.

The majority of horse owners have little reason for concern as CEM is a sexually transmitted disease of stallions and mares, and only affects the breeding population. CEM is only spread through breeding activity, but this does include potential exposure through artificial insemination with shipped semen. Unless you have a breeding mare or stallion that was exposed to one of the infected stallions, there is little cause for concern at this time. For any of you with specific concerns, please contact our office during our regular business hours and one of our doctors would be happy to provide you with additional information.