A polo horse that has been stabled on the grounds of the Empire Polo Club since December has acutely developed neurologic signs over this past weekend. The signs, though not specific for Equine Rhinopneumonitis Neurologic Syndrome (Herpes virus), are very characteristic of the disease. Testing was immediately done, but given the timing it will take a couple days to get results. The staff of the Empire Polo Cub was rapid and diligent in their response and the horse was quickly moved and quarantined away from all contact with other horses. Further testing will be done today.
Until this horse is shown to test negative for EHV-1, we are attempting to impose a voluntary containment of the horses in this area of the club. I do not need to tell you the potential for spread given the fact that polo and show horses have been stabled close to this horse. Horses move in and out to both polo clubs and to the HITS showgrounds.
We will keep everyone updated as test results come in. In the meantime, please advise your help to monitor temperatures of any horses nearby two times a day. Contact your veterinarian about any suspicious or ill horses. Thank you for your cooperation.
Michael Manno, DVM, MS
UPDATE – Tuesday, Jan. 24th, 2012
The polo horse that exhibited neurologic signs over the weekend worsened yesterday despite treatment and went down last evening in her isolation stall. Efforts to get her up were unsuccessful and the horse was humanely euthanized. The animal is being sent for necropsy to the California Animal Health facility at U. C. San Bernardino. We are awaiting results on testing and should be receiving the first ones back today. Again, while the signs presented are consistent with Neropathic EHV-1 infection, there is no proof of this until test results are finalized. We will keep everyone updated as results are received.
Update – Tuesday, Jan. 24th, 2012 7:30 PM
INDIO HORSE TESTS POSITIVE FOR EHV-1, NEUROPATHIC STRAIN
The polo horse that exhibited neurologic signs over the weekend and was euthanized Monday night has tested positive for EHV-1 at the U.C. Davis Lab. While other confirming tests at different labs are still pending, this single positive test warrants immediate action by the California Animal Health officials.
With help from the staff at Empire Polo Club, we have instituted a complete quarantine of all horses stabled near the Forum field. Entrance through and exit from the gate near the Empire arena will be monitored and restricted to only essential personnel tending to those horses. The track next to the Forum field will be available only to the horses in the quarantined area. No other horses or people will be allowed in and out. State veterinarians from Sacramento and the Ontario branch of the California Animal Health and Food Safety division will meet with us Tuesday morning to assess the scope and duration of the quarantine process. At this time, the greater effect on the polo season or HITS horseshow cannot be determined. This will be decided by and is completely under the authority of State officials. This will also be determined by further testing results and/or the presence of additional infected horses, should any appear.
We are asking all other horse owners to remain in their respective areas as much as possible. We will continue to update as needed and as new information becomes available. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Michael Manno DVM, MS