To:       PRCA Members

Re:       Equine Health Alert

Date:    May 20, 2011

From:  Cindy Schonholtz, PRCA Director of Industry Outreach
            719-440-7255
            animalwelfare@prorodeo.com

The PRCA continues to monitor the EHV-1 outbreak in the Western States; this is the second update on the issue.  The first update can be accessed here:   

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs014/1101303344550/archive/1105560416151.html  

We take the health of all livestock very seriously and have been in contact with many state animal health officials and are monitoring all official information from states that are reporting on the issue.  At this time all of the information that we have is that all of the confirmed cases can be traced to the National Cutting Horse Association event in Ogden, Utah from April 30 to May 8 or horses that have had direct contact with those horses.   Additionally, no restrictions on horse transportation have been put into place, any change in these two factors will cause the PRCA to send further updates and reassess the situation. 

 Please contact Cindy Schonholtz at 719-440-7255 or animalwelfare@prorodeo.com with any questions or concerns.        

Tips for All PRCA Members:   

The PRCA wants our membership to make informed decisions and do what they and their veterinarian feel is best for their individual circumstances! 

1.  If there is even a chance that you know of that your horse may have come in contact with any of the horses that attended the Ogden, UT  or if the horse has any of the symptoms, isolate, call the veterinarian and do not move that horse.  This is very important.   This is a highly contagious disease that has an incubation period of 2 - 10 days.  There is not a vaccine for the neurological form of the disease and no cure, but the symptoms can be treated and the earlier the detection, the more successful that treatment is likely to be.  If your horse has any of these symptoms while at a rodeo, DO NOT LEAVE, isolate the horse and contact the rodeo veterinarian immediately.   

Symptoms to look for:   

· Fever above 102 degrees with no other explanation

· Decreased coordination

· Urine dribbling

· Loss of tail tone

· Hind limb weakness

· Leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance

· Lethargy

· Inability to rise

2. If you choose to travel: 

· Contact your veterinarian for advice if it is safe for you to travel with your horse
· Avoid nose to nose or close contact with other horses

· Do not share equipment, buckets, brushes, bridles

· Wash or sanitize your hands often, you can transmit the virus on your hands, shoes or clothing if 
   you come into contact with a horse that has the disease. 
· When you return home with your horses isolate the horses that have been traveling from other
   horses for 10 days and take their temperature twice daily.

3. Before transporting horses interstate, contact the State Veterinarian in the state you are traveling to insure there are no travel restrictions.    

Directory of State Veterinarians  

http://www.avma.org/disaster/state_veterinarians.asp

4.  Join Pro Rodeo Livestock Facebook group for the very latest updates    
 5.  Resources: 
 Excellent article on the Subject:  http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=18264
 

Guide to EHV:  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf 

TIPS FOR PRCA RODEO COMMITTEES

1.  Contact your State Veterinarians Office to ask to be included in any email update lists and let them know of your upcoming event and ask if there is any news or travel restrictions that may affect your event.   If state animal health officials or local veterinarians recommend cancelling your event contact PRCA Rodeo Administration immediately.   

2.  Work closely with your on-site rodeo veterinarian to institute bio security plans as well as any other suggestions they feel will assist in keeping horses safe.

3.  Have a plan for handling media inquires regarding the EHV-1 outbreak.  Ask your veterinarian to assist you in preparing a written statement on the issue that can be use.   

4.  Email animalwelfare@prorodeo.com with any information you obtain in your area that you feel would be helpful to the PRCA. 
 5.  Have available to all contestants the attached flyer on the subject. Download flyer here.
 6.  Work with your rodeo veterinarian to have a plan if a horse at your event shows any symptoms.  

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES 

 California Dept of Food and Ag 

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html  

Colorado Department of Agriculture  

http://www.colorado.gov/ag  

Colorado is requiring importation permits, info available on the link above

Idaho Dept of Agriculture

http://www.agri.idaho.gov/Categories/Animals/animalHealth/healthehv.php  

New Mexico State Livestock Board 

 http://www.nmlbonline.com/
 
Oregon Department of Agriculture
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/AHID/equine_herpes_virus.shtml  

Texas Animal Health Commission 

http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/news/pr/2011/2011May_EHV1NationalInvestigation.pdf  

Utah Department of Agriculture

 http://ag.utah.gov/news/index.html  

Washington Department of Agriculture

http://agr.wa.gov/News/2011/11-10.aspx

Wyoming Livestock Board Release
Note:  They are requiring extra transport requirements read this release for more info