The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) offers alerts about equine diseases that have been confirmed by reliable sources. The following information is from the EDCC.
EHM in Maryland
A horse stabled in Anne Arundel County in Maryland was transported to Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia, on the evening of April 2, where it exhibited severe neurological signs, was placed in isolation, and was euthanized shortly after arrival. A diagnosis of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy caused by the non-neuropathic strain of EHV-1 was confirmed on April 4 by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Animal Health Lab in Warrenton, Virginia. The farm is presently under a 21-day investigational hold and strict biosecurity measures are in place while Maryland Department of Agriculture inspectors perform additional epidemiological and infectious disease testing. The stable owner is contacting boarders and students.
Potential epidemiologic links to the sick horse are being notified of the situation and owners are cautioned to carefully monitor horses at their premises. For more information go to:
For additional information on Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy go to: https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/DiseaseFactsheetEHM.pdf.
The Equine Disease Communication Center works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
The goal of the EDCC is to alert the horse industry about disease outbreak information to help mitigate and prevent the spread of disease. Ultimately frequent and accurate information about diseases outbreaks improves horse welfare and helps to prevent negative economic impact that can result from decreased horse use due to a fear of spreading infection. As part of the National Equine Health Plan the EDCC will serve as part of the communication to help educate and promote research about endemic and foreign disease.
Working in cooperation with state animal health officials and the United State Department of Agriculture, the EDCC seeks information about current disease outbreaks from news media, social media, official state reports and veterinary practitioners. Once information is confirmed, it is immediately posted on this website and messages sent to all states and horse organizations by email. Daily updates are posted until each outbreak is contained or deemed no longer a threat.
The EDCC is made possible by generous donations from organizations and horse owners. Please visit our sponsors that have generously supported this program for the benefit of the health and welfare of horses. To learn how you can help go to SUPPORT.