This message is from: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Robyn wrote: "In case you haven't already heard, a mutant strain of rhino showed up at Fox Chase (formerly Paper Chase) in Loudon County, Virginia."
Some of the information that Robyn received is out of date. Since we live near this farm, I talked to Fox Chase this afternoon. A lab result finally came back yesterday afternoon. The lab verified that the virus was the paralytic form of Equine Herpes Virus 1 (rhinopneumonitis). Out of 7 labs testing samples from this out-break, only one was able to get results before the virus died. With one sample, the results are not as reliable if more could have been completed. I found this on an educational website: "The equine herpes virus plagues our horses in at least four varieties. The disease with which most horsemen on the track are familiar is rhinopneumonitis. This is caused by the herpes virus, a variant of EHV1 which causes abortion in mares. Another form of the virus causes a paralytic form of rhinopneumonitis. Horses seldom recover from the effects of this form. It is not known whether paralytic cases of herpes are caused by still another variant virus, or whether certain unknown conditions are associated with a herpes infection causing it to settle in the spinal canal." There are several factors to be considered before panic sets in. EHV-1 is almost always present in horses and can be shed anytime. The incubation period for this virus once a horse has become infected is 6 to 42 days. Although, 90 percent of the horses show signs of infection within 6 to 10 days. Now, a few particulars about the cases at Fox Chase farm, there were at least 2 shows within 42 days of the first horse becoming sick. So, they do not know if the source came to the farm during the first or second show, or if it just occurred naturally. The vet mentioned that there have been several cases of the paralytic form of EHV-1 in the past year, but this was the only one to receive this much attention. There were 3 horse deaths when the problem was discovered. Some of the other horses became ill, but recovered completely. The quarantine was self-imposed by Fox Chase, and was not requested by the state. None of the horses that attended the 2 shows have shown signs of EHV-1 infections. At this point, the state and the vets are not recommending any quarantines and none of the shows in this area are being cancelled. Hopefully, this information helps. Curt Pierce Bristow, VA PS. Our Caribo is having fun being the center of attention in a high school production of Oklahoma. More about his adventures next week.
