Equine Herpes Virus Detected in One Horse in Ocala, Florida Shows Impose BioHazard Measures

The Equine Herpes Virus that has forced closure of horse events in 10 Continental European countries has spread to the United States with a single horse at a farm in Ocala, Florida found to be infected leading to organizers of the Florida shows to impose biosecurity measures and clamp down on horses being shipped in. As of midday Wednesday no cases of the virus known as EHV-1 were reported at any horse shows in Florida.

Two horses from Ocala already at Wellington’s Global Dressage Festival for this week’s World Cup event were examined by a veterinarian, showed no symptoms but were isolated in separate quarantine stalls out of what the management said was “an abundance of caution.” Two other horses on the four-hour drive from Ocala were told they would not be admitted to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington.

The World Equestrian Center in Ocala where about 2,000 horses are stabled for the winter circuit stopped horses from being shipped in to the show, creating their own “bubble” that would enable competitions to go on. Entries from other events in Florida including the Winter Equestrian and Global Dressage Festivals and the Ridge in Wellington as well as HITS in Ocala and Venice, Florida were not being accepted.

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Article written by: By KENNETH J. BRADDICK