State Veterinarian Releases Quarantine at Fonner Park in Grand Island

LINCOLN – State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes has released the quarantine issued for Fonner Park in Grand Island after three confirmed cases of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) were detected there last month.
 
“The horses at Fonner Park were quarantined for 21 days where they were monitored closely.  During that time, no further cases were confirmed so the quarantine has been lifted,” said Dr. Hughes.  “We continue to ask horse owners and facility managers to take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease by remaining vigilant and following strict biosecurity measures.”
 
EHM is the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) and cases of the disease have been confirmed in several locations around the country this year. 
 
The disease is spread through direct or indirect contact with infected horses, so Dr. Hughes encourages operators of horse shows and exhibitions to review their biosecurity plans and minimize the opportunity for horses to have direct or indirect contact with each other. Indirect contact includes the use of shared water and feed sources, as well as the use of shared equipment. In addition, Dr. Hughes said he recommends horse owners planning to travel to shows and exhibitions contact the venue prior to transporting their horses to inquire about entrance requirements for the event.
 
Biosecurity measures horse owners should take at their own operations include requiring individuals to wash their hands before and after contact with each horse, disinfecting boots and changing clothes that come into contact with horses other than their own.
 
“If possible, horse owners should avoid contact with other people’s horses, and isolate horses returning from shows or exhibitions for 3 to 4 weeks,” said Dr. Hughes. “Owners who will be co-mingling their horses also should consider contacting their veterinarian to discuss their horses’ current vaccination status and weigh the benefits of vaccination.”
 
EHM 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. Additional information can be viewed here.

NVMA 2016 Winter Business Meeting: State Veterinarian's Report

As a service to those who were unable to attend the 2016 Annual Convention in Kearney, the following video captures the report from Nebraska State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes, DVM, delivered during the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) business meeting held on Thursday, January 21, 2016. Dr. Hughes is introduced in this video by Henry Cerny, DVM, immediate past president of the NVMA.

(Trouble viewing the video? Click here).

Nebraska Is VSV-Free

Nebraska is once again VSV-free. Read the latest Vesicular Stomatitis situation report here.

VSV Situation Report as of 12/15/2015

The latest Vesicular Stomatitis situation as of 12/15/2015 may be viewed by clicking here.

Latest Vesicular Stomatitis Report as of 11/17/2015

Here is the latest Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) Situation Report from the office of the Nebraska State Veterinarian, Dennis Hughes, DVM.

One of the suspect premises from last week was VSV negative, but EHD positive.  That is why the Grand total went from 38 to 37 cases, and 10 counties to nine counties.  One Equine Premises in Red Willow County is still under quarantine.  This premises is being inspected for quarantine release on 11/18/2015.

All other quarantines for confirmed positive and suspect premises have been released. 

There are no pending investigations awaiting lab results.

NEBRASKA VSV Situation Report
11/17/2015
CUMMULATIVE POSITIVE INVESTIGATIONS
	Bovine		Equine			Grand Total
County	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Total	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Suspect Premises	Total
BANNER			1		1	1
GARDEN			1	1	2	2
LINCOLN	1	1	1		1	2
LOUP	1	1				1
MORRILL	2	2				2
RED WILLOW			1		1	1
SCOTTS BLUFF	5	5	8	13	21	26
SHERIDAN	1	1				1
SIOUX			1		1	1
Grand Total	10	10	13	14	27	37
CURRENT POSITIVE INVESTIGATIONS
	Equine		Grand Total
County	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Total
RED WILLOW	1	1	1
Grand Total	1	1	1
QUARANTINES RELEASED  (POSTIVIE AND SUSPECT INVESTIGATIONS)
	Bovine		Equine			Grand Total
County	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Total	Confirmed Positive VSV Premises.	Suspect Premises	Total
BANNER			1		1	1
GARDEN			1	1	2	2
LINCOLN	1	1	1		1	2
LOUP	1	1				1
MORRILL	2	2				2
SCOTTS BLUFF	5	5	8	13	21	26
SHERIDAN	1	1				1
SIOUX			1		1	1
Grand Total	10	10	12	14	26	36

Latest Insights Into Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Exclusive to the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association blog is a 12-minute video update from Nebraska State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes, DVM, on the topic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

Dr. Hughes is leading efforts to ensure that producers and veterinarians know the steps they can take to quickly detect and report suspected HPAI. The most obvious sign is a sudden increase in mortality in a flock. If you're aware of an incident like that, call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at (402) 471-2351 and/or the USDA (402) 434-2300.

Here is the video update:

Latest Vesicular Stomatitis Update

The latest situation report on Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in Nebraska from State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes, DVM: Two new counties are affected – Sheridan and Loup. Both are bovine cases. There are two current quarantines on positive premises (Sheridan and Loup). And there are two current quarantines on investigations with pending lab results (Red Willow and Adams).

Click here to view the complete report.

More Cases of Vesicular Stomatitis Confirmed

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in Lincoln has confirmed additional cases of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in Panhandle horses. State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes said NDA has confirmed a total of five cases, including the first case that was confirmed.

Four of those cases are in Scotts Bluff County and one is in Sioux County. Five additional cases are being investigated with test results pending, including four in Scotts Bluff County and a fifth in Lincoln County.

Hughes said the additional cases are not unexpected, based on transmission patterns in other states where the disease is present, and he is encouraging horse and cattle owners to take precautions, particularly with animals that may be commingling with other animals at events over the next several months.

“We just want owners to be aware of the cases and consider taking precautions, especially now that we know the disease is spreading in Nebraska,” Hughes said. “The primary way the virus is transmitted is from biting insects or midges, so consider treatments to reduce flies and mosquitos in quarters where animals are housed. We also want owners to be cognizant of the fact that VS also can be spread by nose-to-nose contact between animals.”

VS is a viral disease which primarily affects horses and cattle, but can also affect sheep, goats and swine. It causes blister-like lesions to form in the mouth and on the dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves and teats. As a result of the lesions, infected animals may refuse to eat and drink, which leads to severe weight loss. NDA has quarantined the livestock on all affected farms.

“The virus itself usually runs its course in five to seven days, and it can take up to an additional seven days for that infected animal to recover from the symptoms,” said Hughes. Hughes said Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota all have VS cases at this time, and several of the Wyoming cases are near the Nebraska Panhandle border. “The case we are investigating in Lincoln County involved a horse that recently had been in a competition in Wyoming,” Hughes said.

Hughes said that due to last week’s confirmed VS finding, he and officials for the Aksarben Horse Show, scheduled for this weekend at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, and the Aksarben Stock Show and Rodeo, scheduled for Sept. 24-27, in Omaha, have agreed to put in place new requirements for horse and cattle exhibitors. Horses arriving at the shows from anywhere within Nebraska will need to have seen a veterinarian within 48 hours. The 48-hour rule also will apply to any cattle coming to the show from the Nebraska Panhandle counties.

Hughes is encouraging the managers of other livestock exhibitions and events to consider similar requirements. “Unfortunately, until cold weather moves in, VS will be a threat,” Hughes said. Freezing temperatures kill the insects that spread the virus.

For more information on VS, visit: http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/animal/diseases/vs/index.html