Equine virus prompts state HS equestrian meet cancellation
Next week’s Oregon High School Equestrian Teams state championships in Redmond have been canceled due to an outbreak of equine herpes virus (EHV-1) affecting four to nine horses in the Willamette Valley, several showing neurological signs of the disease.
But organizers will survey the hundreds of would-be participants in hopes of finding an acceptable date in June to reschedule.
Four horses are showing neurological signs of EHV-1, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Another five horses exposed to EHV-1 have developed fevers, but have not shown neurological signs, the agency said Thursday. All are under active observation, and eight farms currently are under quarantine, six in Marion County and two in Polk County.
The infected horses or others exposed at the quarantined facilities attended several recent events, including an OHSET meet April 16-19 at the Linn County Fairgrounds and rodeo events at Braxton Arena in Jefferson, Ore., April 19-20, as well as at the High Prairie Area in Eugene April 26-26.
ODA said it is investigating any further exposures and working to notify owners of potentially exposed horses.
State Veterinarian Dr. Brad LeaMaster has recommended that horses which attended the OHSET meet should refrain from any more shows or gatherings for the next 28 days and impose a self-quarantine. “Call your veterinarian if you suspect any signs of illness,” he said.
In a memo Thursday night to OHSET athletes, coaches, advisors and families, announcing the cancellation, State Chair Candi Bothum of Redmond said the organization and the state veterinarian “no longer feel simply keeping Willamette District horses home provides enough risk mitigation to move forward with the state meet.”
“This is a decision not made lightly,” she wrote. “It’s a decision made based on veterinary consultation, increased positive EHV-1 tests with exposure outside our initial potentially exposed horses and valid concern for what is yet to come.”
Bothum said Friday she is preparing a survey to see if either of two proposed date ranges (June 9-12 or June 24-27) would work as a postponed state meet. A decision is expected by late next week. But other meets and summer plans begin to challenge, in terms of conflicts.
In a “message of gratitude” sent early Friday, Bothum noted that other athletes had offered up their own horses for the Willamette District competitors who would not have been able to compete in the state meet.
“Such an incredible display of compassion and sportsmanship – I remain in awe!” Bothum wrote.
She also thanked the meet sponsor, Coastal, for promising to continue its long-term commitment to the organization.
EHV-1 is not transmissible to people, but the virus is naturally occurring and widespread in the equine population. It is a common virus and may be dormant for long periods of time, then re-activate during a period of stress, which can result in clinical disease. EHV-1 can cause respiratory disease, abortions in pregnant mares, neurological disease and, in severe cases, death.
The most common way for EHV-1 to spread is by direct horse-to-horse contact, though the virus also can spread through contaminated equipment, clothing and hands.
Symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance, lethargy and the inability to rise. While there is no cure, the symptoms of the disease may be treatable.
