31 Role of the Equine Practitioner in Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Regulatory disease

This is a disease reportable by law to state or federal animal health authorities

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), Equine Influenza, Equine Piroplasmosis, Equine Rhinopneumonitis, Equine Viral Arteritis

Name the reportable WOAH diseases in horses found in the U.S.

TRUE

TRUE OR FALSE: just because a disease is reportable does NOT mean it is actionable

a. federal lead with joint response from state

Select the lead responder for Foreign Animal Diseases like African horse sickness, contagious equine metritis and equine piroplasmosis:

a. federal lead with joint response from state

b. state lead with federal support

c. state lead

d. private practitioner

b. state lead with federal support

Select the lead responder for Domestic Regulatory Diseases like equine infectious anemia and vesicular stomatitis:

a. federal lead with joint response from state

b. state lead with federal support

c. state lead

d. private practitioner

c. state lead

Select the lead responder for Domestic State Reportable and Actionable diseases like *equine herpes myeloencephalopathy* (depending on state):

a. federal lead with joint response from state

b. state lead with federal support

c. state lead

d. private practitioner

d. private practitioner

Select the lead responder for Domestic State Reportable and NON Actionable diseases like *equine herpes myeloencephalopathy* (depending on state):

a. federal lead with joint response from state

b. state lead with federal support

c. state lead

d. private practitioner

d. private practitioner

Select the lead responder for Domestic NON Reportable diseases like equine influenza or pigeon fever:

a. federal lead with joint response from state

b. state lead with federal support

c. state lead

d. private practitioner

Equine Herpesvirus 1

What is the causative agent of "rhinopneumonitis" in horses, spread via airborne route and causes reproductive, neurologic, or reproductive signs

a. urine retention and incontinence

b. bladder atony

d. biphasic fever

f. ataxia and paresis of the hindlimbs

Select the more common signs of equine herpesvirus myeloepncephalopathy:

a. urine retention and incontinence

b. bladder atony

c. poll paralysis

d. biphasic fever

e. narcolepsy

f. ataxia and paresis of the hindlimbs

Neurologic disease with respiratory spread

What is the problem with the disease manifestation in comparison to the spread with equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy?

Attending veterinarian

Who is the FIRST RESPONDER ALWAYS for equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy?

Isolate clinical cases, implement enhanced biosecurity, monitor exposed horses

How can you ensure that the index (first) case is the only case in an equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy outbreak?

1. evaluate premises and isolate clinical cases

2. perform exam and collect diagnostic samples, start treatment

3. establish enhanced biosecurity protocol

4. determine who is exposed and start temperature monitoring

5. submit samples and report suspect cases

6. EHM confirmation - Report to State Vet and Owner/Barn Manager

Name the steps for properly containing an outbreak of something like equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy

High nasal swab and whole blood in EDTA for PCR

*What definitive diagnostic samples are needed for EHV-1?*

By the time they are showing a fever, the horse has already been shedding the virus for a week

What is the problem with a horse showing a fever for EHV?

101.5 F and above

What do you determine a "fever" with suspect EHM horses?

Wait 48-72 hours and retest again

A horse you were highly suspicious of having EHV-1 tests negative. The horse is currently in isolation. What should you do now?

TRUE

TRUE OR FALSE: even direct contact with animals like dogs and humans plus indirect contact with clothing or communal areas would consider a horse "exposed" for EHM-1

State veterinarian

Who should you call with suspected EHM or EHV-1 cases?

They are inactivated by organic matter like manure and soil

What is the problem with using disinfectants like bleach and alcohol?

EHM - ISOLATE, PCR thru nasal swab and whole blood EDTA

A horse traveled to a large show last weekend. Now, he's neuro and 3 other barns that attended the show also have cases. What is your first suspect and what can you do?

FALSE = both wild type AND neuropathic strains can cause large EHM outbreaks

TRUE OR FALSE: only neuropathic strains of EHV-1 can cause large EHM outbreaks, not the wildtype

Doesn't prevent neurologic form

What is the problem with the EHV-1 vaccine

TRUE

TRUE OR FALSE: recent EHV-1 vaccination and/or more frequent EHV-1 vaccination is associated with increased risk for development of EHM when exposed