TAMPA, Fla. — A highly infectious horse disease has spread to Tampa Bay.
What You Need To Know
Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 is spreading among horses and has reached Tampa Bay
The outbreak, which began in Texas and Oklahoma, is reportedly the largest in U.S. history
Horses that live on private farms are not at high risk
Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 is a virus among horses that can cause respiratory illness, abortion in pregnant mares, and in severe cases, neurological disease.
There is one confirmed case at Tampa Bay Downs, and University of Florida Faculty Veterinarian Sally DeNotta said there have been around 50 cases nationwide.
“We are currently experiencing, hopefully, the end of what has been the largest national outbreak of EHV in U.S. history,” she said.
Patti Reed has spent her entire life taking care of horses.
Living at her farm and equestrian center in Pinellas Park, horses are a major part of her life.
When the news of the EHV-1 outbreak reached her, it put her on high alert.
“In our smaller community (Pinellas Park), we know pretty much who’s going to what shows and who’s traveling and who’s doing what,” she said. “So you know where they’re at, when they’re coming back, where they’ve come in contact, and that’s what you want to see.”
DeNotta said the outbreak started in Texas and Oklahoma at high-level competitions and has since spread to other states.
She added that isolating infected horses is important, as the disease spreads from horse to horse through close contact.
“In the face of an outbreak, we need to quarantine affected horses and make sure that it doesn’t spread any further than it already has,” she said.
Patti is taking that advice to heart.
Even before this outbreak happened, she said they made sure to isolate any horse that arrives at her farm.
Still, she has advice for any horse owners who are traveling.
“Don’t use other people’s water buckets,” she said. “Don’t use water troughs that everybody drinks out of. Don’t eat the grass where the horses are going to the bathroom.”