January 25th, 2012 at 10:00 PM

After a day long meeting with California Animal Health veterinarians and representatives from both Eldorado and Empire Polo clubs, a 21 day quarantine has been placed on the entire polo club complex and the private ranches within the boundaries.  This includes the area within the square bordered by 50th and 52nd Avenues and Madison and Monroe Streets.  The only property excluded is that of Desert Equine Hospital on 52nd Avenue.as there has no exposure to horses on this property.

This decision was made after careful review of the overall stabling layout and the potential for exposure to horses that were in the stabling area of the infected horse and their subsequent contact with many horses throughout the complex.  The horses in the area of the infected horse, which is the Forum field stabling area of Empire, will be under a complete lockdown to that specific area.  The remainder of the clubs and ranches are restricted to their respective areas with no horses leaving or entering the quarantine boundaries.

At this time we are asking people to compartmentalize their movements and stay to their respective zones.  The horses stabled at the Forum field cannot leave that area but can use the track there.  The Empire horses stabled fieldside near the Tavern should use the track made near 50^th and Monroe.  The horses at Empire section near 52 and Madison should use the track in that area and not move to any other part of the complex.

Eldorado horses stabled by the Cantina should use Eldorado’s track as should Rancho Eldorado horses and those in Empire West.  Horses stabled at Donegal could potentially use the area between Donegal and the Eldorado track.  All horses at Fish Creek, Brown’s and Gehache are to stay in their respective areas.  The purpose of this compartmentalization is to segregate horses should any other positive horses arise.  If segregated areas stay EHV-1 free, then those areas could potentially come out of quarantine individually.  The hope is that all areas will remain infection free.

The duration of the 21 day quarantine is determined by an incubation period of 2-10 days and that could be followed by a period of viral shedding for an additional 7-10 days.  The initial 21 day period started on Monday, the 23^rd of January.   If any new positive horses show up, then the 21 day clock is reset.

At this time we are asking owners and grooms to check temperatures twice daily.  Report any temperatures over 102.0 to your veterinarian.  If any horses become sick, they may quickly be moved to an isolation area that is being set up.  Determination of testing of these horses will be made.  Testing of horses for EHV-1 that do not show any signs of sickness is of little diagnostic value and is not recommended.  The quarantine is ordered and enforced by the State Animal Health officials.  No horses are to come or go from the quarantine zone.  If anyone knows of horses that have come or gone, it is imperative that you report them to management.  It is a punishable offense that is enforced by the State of California.  Thank you for your help and cooperation.   We will continue to provide updates as they become necessary.

– Dr. Mike Manno, DVM

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For more information you can visit the California Dept. of Food & Agriculture Website where they post reports of all EHV-1 cases in California.

Here is a copy of their reports about the case in Riverside County (where Indio, CA) is located  …

RIVERSIDE COUNTY INCIDENT

• January 25, 2012:  There are no new EHV-1 cases on the Riverside County quarantined large multi-discipline equine premises. The one confirmed positive horse for Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) was euthanized and necropsy results indicate histologic lesions compatible with EHV-1.  All horses on the premises are being monitored. Based on the initial investigation, there is no evidence to link this case to the Orange County premises. CDFA will continue to monitor the situation.
• January 24, 2012: A gelding displaying hind limb incoordination and urine dribbling from a Riverside County premises was confirmed positive for the neuropathogenic strain of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (NEHV-1). The gelding became recumbent and was euthanized. The premises is under quarantine and CDFA has initiated an epidemiologic investigation. At this time we are not aware of any links to the Orange County incident. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.