The Animal Health Branch has received many questions about how COVID – 19 - and the control measures - are impacting livestock movement. Food and Agriculture is one of sixteen (16) essential functions in the critical infrastructure of the nation, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security. As of March 30, 2020, California does not have any additional COVID-19 restrictions for animals being imported or traveling within California.
EHV-1 Quarantine in Alameda County
EHV-1 Quarantine in Alameda County
April 6, 2020: One additional horse, a 15-year-old pony gelding, displaying fever but no neurological signs, has been confirmed positive for EHV-1. The horse has been isolated with additional biosecurity measures put in place. CDFA continues to monitor the situation
March 31, 2020: One additional horse, a 15-year-old Warmblood gelding, displaying fever but no neurological signs, has been confirmed positive for EHV-1. The horse has been isolated with additional biosecurity measures put in place. The index mare has tested negative twice seven days apart and has been released from her individual quarantine. CDFA continues to monitor the situation.
March 27, 2020: One additional horse, an 18-year-old Quarter Horse gelding, displaying fever but no neurological signs, has been confirmed positive for EHV-1. The horse has been isolated with additional biosecurity measures put in place. CDFA continues to monitor the situation.
March 23, 2020: No new cases have been reported. CDFA continues to monitor the situation.
March 18, 2020: No new cases or compatible clinical signs have been reported. CDFA was onsite to assess biosecurity and continues to monitor the situation.
March 16, 2020: A 14-year-old pony mare in Alameda County displaying neurologic signs has been confirmed positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1. The mare has been isolated and quarantined at a veterinary hospital. Forty-four (44) exposed horses on the home premise have been quarantined with enhanced biosecurity measures including twice daily temperature monitoring. CDFA was onsite March 14 to evaluate the situation. All potentially exposed horses have been traced and contacted. Any horse displaying clinical signs or a temperature over 101.5F shall be reported to the veterinarian for evaluation and potential nasal swab and blood sampling. CDFA continues to monitor the situation.
Equine Health Information and Resources
RE: COVID 19 and Horses by James T. Williams, DVM
I have been asked if the coronavirus 19 (COVID 19) is contagious to horses and from horses to humans. The short answer is no. However it would be possible to get the coronavirus 19 from a horse if an infected human coughed some droplets onto a horses coat and an uninfected human then got those droplets on their hands to become infected.
California Pony Tests Positive for EHV-1
Officials at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) confirmed on March 14 that a 14-year-old pony mare in Alameda County tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). On March 12 the mare presented with neurologic signs, including acute blindness, cranial nerve deficit, decreased tail and tongue tone, and hypermetria (a condition of cerebellar dysfunction in which voluntary muscular movements tend to result in the movement of bodily parts short of the intended goal). She’s reported as having been vaccinated and as affected and alive under quarantine at a veterinary hospital.
Forty-four additional horses were exposed and are quarantined at the home premises under enhanced biosecurity, including twice-daily temperature monitoring. All potentially exposed horses have been traced and owners contacted. Any horse that displays clinical signs or a temperature exceeding 101.5°F will be reported to the veterinarian for evaluation and potential blood and nasal swab sampling.
