In a ‘Perfect Storm,’ One Case of Equine Herpes Becomes Many
FORT LUPTON, Colo. — The death of Chief, a highly trained performance horse found here last month in his stall, unable to stand, the victim of a raging neurological infection, was certainly a major emotional and financial loss for his owners.
But his death was also a signal event for animal epidemiologists, almost certainly the first confirmed fatality in a highly unusual outbreak of equine herpes virus that apparently began at a cutting horse competition in Ogden, Utah, held in early May. Since then at least 88 animals have been infected in 10 states, including 12 that were euthanized when the virus attacked their nervous systems, as it did Chief’s.
The equine herpes virus, or E.H.V.-1, is well known, a scourge believed to have existed at least since the 1700s, although some researchers contend a newer variant may be causing the more serious neurological illnesses seen in recent years. The virus, which infects only horses, can be spread through the air or contaminated equipment, clothing and hands. Notable outbreaks occurred in Ohio in 2003 and in Colorado in 2007.
But this one has been different, and the pattern of exposure has prompted an investigation sprawling across 21 states and Canadian provinces. Fearing that the epidemic could rage for months, killing hundreds of expensive and highly trained horses, the competition cutting horse industry — with $40 million in annual prize money, 50,000 breeding and performance horses, and more than 2,200 annual shows — was shut down. [...]
This could never happen in the human population, though, and I'm sure it never will. :| :D Yeah, right.
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