Paragallo Gets 2 Years / HSUS Applauds Sentence

The $33,000 fine is an INSULT in view of the fact Paragallo is making a million a year off of stud fees

Subject: HSUS Applaudes Sentence in Racing Case

HSUS Applauds Sentance in Racing Case WASHINGTON, (HSUS) - The Humane Society of the United States applauds the sentencing Tuesday of convicted New York horse-racing mogul Ernie Paragallo, who received a maximum sentence of two years in jail and a $33,000 fine.

Paragallo was convicted earlier this year on 33 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty for allowing his thoroughbred horses to become severely emaciated on his farm in upstate New York. Several of the horses were too ill to recover, and had to be euthanized.Judge George J. Pulver Jr. recognized the severity of the cruelty inflicted by Paragallo. Hopefully, this case will send a strong message that animal abuse will not go unpunished.

"This case involved serious equine neglect by an owner who profited handsomely from his involvement in the world of horse racing," said Keith Dane, The HSUS’ director of equine protection. "While there is no punishment that can make up for the loss of life and severe suffering at the hands of this neglectful owner, we are grateful that Judge George J. Pulver Jr. recognized the severity of the cruelty inflicted by Paragallo. Hopefully, this case will send a strong message that animal abuse will not go unpunished.

"We hope this conviction will be a wake-up call for all horse owners who profit from their participation in the horse industry--that they have a responsibility to provide humane treatment and adequate care for their animals, even after their horses have stopped generating an income or been of use to the owner."
The HSUS calls on the court to order that Paragallo pay full restitution to animal-control officials in Greene County who oversaw the care of the horses following the May 2009 raid on Paragallo’s farm. We also call on the New York Racing and Wagering Board to permanently bar Paragallo from all New York racetracks and from holding a racing license in the state, and to apply any civil fines applicable under its regulations for the animal-cruelty charges brought by the Greene County district attorney.

NTRAs Letter to Congress / May 14, 2010

Highlighting all the "improvements" the industry has made in regards to the care and treatment of racehorses, but Not a word about racehorse slaughter;
http://www.ntra.com/images/NTRA_letter_Congress05142010.pdf

Undiagnosed Respiratory Disease in Equines / Iceland

Has bovine TB hit horses?
http://madcowhorses.blogspot.com/2010/05/undiagnosed-respiratory-disease-equine.html
Me thinks so, probably USA made; http://wikileaks.org/wiki/U.S._Embassy_profiles_on_Icelandic_PM,_Foreign_Minister,_Ambassador

International Boycott Against "All Things" Supporting Horse Slaughter Officially Begins Today

http://friendsofequines.webs.com/

EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS - ARGENTINA (02): (BUENOS AIRES) OIE

***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 10 May 2010
Source: OIE, Paris [edited]



Equine viral arteritis, Argentina
---------------------------------
Information received on 7 May 2010 from Dr Jorge Nestor Amaya,
Presidente, Presidencia, SENASA, BUENOS AIRES, Argentina

Summary:
Report type: Immediate notification
Start date: 9 Mar 2010
Date of 1st confirmation of the event: 31 Mar 2010
Report date: 7 May 2010
Date submitted to OIE: 7 May 2010
Reason for notification: Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence: 2006
Manifestation of disease: Clinical disease
Causal agent: Equine arteritis virus
Nature of diagnosis: Clinical, Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy
This event pertains to: the whole country

New outbreaks:
Summary of outbreaks: Total outbreaks 8

(AVE 1): San Antonio de Areco, Villa Lia, San Antonio de Areco, BUENOS AIRES

Date of start of the outbreak: 9 Mar 2010
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals: Species (_equidae_) Susceptible (141) Cases (80)
Deaths (0) Destroyed (0) Slaughtered (0)
Affected Population: A farm with sport horses (jumping and races).
The 1st sign was abortions in mares that were with jumping mares
artificially inseminated (30 to 40 days before the abortions).
Animals from this farm went to other farms, where investigations are
on-going; in some of them, serologically positive animals have been
found. This is the index farm.

(AVE 2): Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, CAPITAL FEDERAL
Date of start of the outbreak: 11 Mar 2010
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals: Species (_equidae_) Susceptible (120) Cases (97)
Deaths (0) Destroyed (0) Slaughtered (0)
Affected Population: A farm with sport horses (riding) where mares
were inseminated with infected semen.

(AVE 3): Pilar, Pilar, BUENOS AIRES
Date of start of the outbreak: 27 Apr 2010
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals: Species (_equidae_) Susceptible (141) Cases (5)
Deaths (0) Destroyed (0) Slaughtered (0)
Affected Population: A closed district with sport horses (jumping and
polo) where animals from an infected farm (AVE 2) arrived.

(AVE 4): Ranchos, Gral. Paz, BUENOS AIRES
Date of start of the outbreak: 27 Apr 2010
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals: Species (_equidae_) Susceptible (100) Cases (2)
Deaths (0) Destroyed (0) Slaughtered (0)
Affected Population: A farm with sport horses where mares were
inseminated with infected semen.

(AVE 5) Suipacha, Suipacha, BUENOS AIRES
Date of start of the outbreak: 27 Mar 2010
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals: Species (_equidae_) Susceptible (21) Cases (4)
Deaths (0) Destroyed (0) Slaughtered (0)
Affected Population: A farm with sport horses where a mare from the
index farm arrived.

(AVE 6): San Vicente, San Vicente, BUENOS AIRES
Date of start of the outbreak: 22 Apr 2010
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals: Species (_equidae_) Susceptible (80) Cases (1)
Deaths (0) Destroyed (0) Slaughtered (0)
Affected Population: A farm with sport horses where a mare was
inseminated with infected semen.

(AVE 7): Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, CAPITAL FEDERAL
Date of start of the outbreak: 30 Apr 2010
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals: Species (_equidae_) Susceptible (195) Cases (2)
Deaths (0) Destroyed (0) Slaughtered (0)
Affected Population: A club with jumping horses where animals from an
infected farm (AVE 2) arrived.

(AVE 8): Zarate, Zarate, BUENOS AIRES
Date of start of the outbreak: 10 Apr 2010
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals: Species (_equidae_) Susceptible (10) Cases (5)
Deaths (0) Destroyed (0) Slaughtered (0)
Affected Population A farm where horses from the index farm came to graze.

Summary of outbreaks:
Total outbreaks: 8
Total animals affected: Species (_equidae_) Susceptible (808) Cases
(196) Deaths (0) Destroyed (0) Slaughtered (0)
Outbreak statistics: Species (_equidae_) Apparent morbidity rate
(24.26 percent) Apparent mortality rate (0.00 percent) Apparent case
fatality rate (0.00 percent) Proportion susceptible animals lost*
(0.00 percent)
* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction
and/or slaughter

Epidemiology:
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: *Unknown or
inconclusive Epidemiological comments: A health alert has been
declared across the country, and movements of horses are prohibited
in the city and in the province of Buenos Aires. All detected cases
are related to mares inseminated with semen from the same stud;
investigations are underway.

Control measures:
Measures applied: Quarantine; Movement control inside the country;
Screening; Vaccination prohibited; No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied: No other measures

Diagnostic test results:
Laboratory name and type: Virology Institute, INTA-Castelar (National
laboratory)
Tests and results:
Species / Test / Test date / Result
_equidae_ / reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
/ 19 Apr 2010 / Positive
_equidae_ / seroneutralization test (SNT) / 05 Apr 2010 / Positive
_equidae_ / virus isolation / 31 Mar 2010 / Positive

Future Reporting:
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

Map of outbreak locations
Location of current outbreaks [see website for map] Click on map to zoom in.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[see also:
Equine viral arteritis - Argentina ex Holland 20100509.1513]
.........................................................sb/as/mhj/msp/dk

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GLANDERS, EQUINE - BAHRAIN (02): OIE

********************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Mon 10 May 2010
Source: OIE-WAHID animal disease interface [edited]



Glanders, Bahrain
---------------
Information received on 10 May 2010 from Dr Salman Abdul Nabi,
Director of Animal Health Directorate, PO Box 251, Ministry of
Municipality Affairs and Agriculture, MANAMA, Bahrain

Summary

Report type: Immediate notification
Start date: 12 Apr 2010
Date of 1st confirmation of the event: 12 Apr 2010
Report date: 10 May 2010
Date submitted to OIE: 10 May 2010
Reason for notification: 1st occurrence of a listed disease
Manifestation of disease: Clinical disease
Causal agent: _Burkholderia mallei_
Nature of diagnosis: Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to the whole country

New outbreaks
Outbreak 1: Shakhora, NORTH
Date of start of the outbreak: 12 Apr 2010
Outbreak status: Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
Epidemiological unit: Farm
Affected animals:
Species / Susceptible / Cases / Deaths / Destroyed / Slaughtered
_equidae_/ 10 / 6 / 0 / 6 / 0

Affected Population:
The 1st 2 horses which were positive without clinical signs to
glanders originated from Syria and Kuwait and arrived 6 months ago.
They were of mixed breed. After testing, the other horses in the same
stable became positive with clinical signs.

Summary of outbreaks
Total outbreaks: 1

Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection: Introduction of new
live animals

Epidemiological comments
The horses in the stable showed no clinical signs, and 394 serum
samples were sent to the OIE reference laboratory (CVRL). 35 were
confirmed positive by CFT, most of them without clinical signs.

Control measures
Measures applied: Control of arthropods, Control of wildlife
reservoirs, Quarantine, Movement control inside the country,
Screening, Zoning, Disinfection of infected
premises/establishment(s), Dipping / Spraying, Modified stamping out,
No vaccination. No treatment of affected animals

Measures to be applied: No other measures

Diagnostic test results:
Laboratory name and type: Central Veterinary Research Laboratory
(CVRL), United Arab Emirates (OIE's Reference Laboratory)
Tests and results
Species / Test / Test date / Result
_equidae_ / complement fixation test (CFT) / 12 Apr 2010 / Positive

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[The diagnosis of glanders, a zoonotic disease, in Bahrain was
reported by ProMED-mail on 28 Apr 2010. It is encouraging to see this
significant event eventually officially notified to the OIE. There
are several discrepancies between the notification and the
media-derived information dated 17 Apr 2010, in particular the
information about mortality of 2 horses, allegedly triggering the
epidemiological and laboratory investigation, as well as the relevant
timetable (see 20100417.1241).

Glanders is a reportable disease in Kuwait not reportable in Syria.
In both countries, the year of its last occurrence is unknown. Both
countries have already duly submitted their annual reports for 2009
to the OIE, from which the said information is derived. - Mod.AS]

[see also:
Glanders, equine - Bahrain 20100428.1364
Undiagnosed deaths, equine - Bahrain: RFI 20100417.1241
2007
----
Glanders, equine - Iran ex Iraq 20071129.3854
Glanders, equine - Russia (Chita) 20070707.2167
2004
----
Glanders, equine - United Arab Emirates: OIE 20041019.2836
Glanders - Brazil (South) 20040815.2265
2000
----
Glanders, human - USA (Maryland) (04) 20000630.1085
Glanders, equine - Brazil (Alagoas) (02) 20000605.0895
Glanders, equine - Brazil (Alagoas) 20000529.0858
Glanders, human - USA (Maryland) (03) 20000526.0842
Glanders, human - USA (Maryland) (02) 20000516.0769
Glanders, human - USA (Maryland) 20000515.0760]
....................................................sb/arn/msp/dk

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Sue Wallis, a dirty politician from Wyoming who is spearheading the push to bring horse slaughter back to the USA, under the guise of "caring" for horses;
http://www.unitedorgsofthehorse.org/

EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS - ARGENTINA ex HOLLAND

EQUINE VIRAL ARTERITIS - ARGENTINA ex HOLLAND
*********************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 8 May 2010
Source: En Mercopress.com [edited]


SENASA, Argentina's National Animal and Agriculture Health Board, has
issued a statement suspending all transportation of horses in the Buenos
Aires province for 2 weeks due to an outbreak of viral equine arteritis.

The ban, in force as of this week, may be extended up to 30 days and has
curtailed horse activities such as racing, show jumping, endurance, and
auctions. The origin of the outbreak was traced to semen imported recently
from Holland for jumpers.

The disease affects pregnant mares, which abort their embryos; however,
after being infected, they become immune. Stallions that have viral equine
arteritis must be gelded. The disease can be transmitted through the air or
during breeding.

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, equine viral arteritis (EVA) is
an acute, contagious, viral disease of equids caused by equine arteritis
virus. It is characterized by fever, depression, dependent edema
(especially of the limbs, scrotum, and prepuce in the stallion),
conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, abortion and, infrequently, death in young
foals.

The virus which causes EVA was first isolated from horses in Ohio in 1953,
but the disease has afflicted equine animals worldwide for centuries. It
has been more common in some breeds of horses in the United States, but
there is no breed "immunity." There is no known human hazard.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail

[Equine viral arteritis is caused by equine arteritis virus (EAV), an RNA
virus in the genus _Arterivirus_, family Arteriviridae and order
Nidovirales. Isolates vary in their virulence and potential to induce
abortions. Only one serotype has been recognized. Limited genetic analysis
suggests that EAV strains found among donkeys in South Africa may differ
significantly from isolates in North America and Europe.

Equine arteritis virus is found in the equidae. Antibodies to this virus
have been reported in horses, ponies, donkeys, and zebras. Illness occurs
mainly among horses and ponies, but clinical signs have also been reported
in experimentally infected donkeys. EAV might also be able to cause disease
in South American camelids: polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) detected
viral nucleic acids in an alpaca that had aborted.

Equine arteritis virus can be transmitted by the respiratory and the
venereal routes. Acutely affected horses excrete the virus in respiratory
secretions; aerosol transmission is common when horses are gathered at
racetracks, sales, shows, and other events. This virus has also been found
in urine and feces during the acute stage. It occurs in the reproductive
tract of acutely infected mares, and both acutely and chronically infected
stallions. In mares, EAV can be found in vaginal and uterine secretions as
well as in the ovary and oviduct for a short period after infection. Mares
infected late in pregnancy may give birth to infected foals. Stallions shed
EAV in semen, and can carry the virus for years. Transmission from
stallions can occur by natural service or artificial insemination. Some
carriers may eventually clear the infection. True carrier states have not
been reported in mares, geldings or sexually immature colts; however, EAV
can occasionally be found for up to 6 months in the reproductive tract of
older prepubertal colts.

Equine arteritis virus can be transmitted on fomites including equipment,
and may be spread mechanically by humans or animals. This virus is
inactivated in 20-30 minutes at 56-58 C (133-136 F), but can remain viable
for 2 to 3 days at 37-38 C (99-100 F) and for up to 75 days at 4-8 C (39-46
F). Semen remains infectious after freezing.

The incubation period varies from 2 days to 2 weeks. Infections transmitted
venereally tend to become apparent in about one week.

Most EAV infections, especially those that occur in mares bred to long-term
carriers, are asymptomatic. The clinical signs are generally more severe in
old or very young animals and in horses that are immunocompromised or in
poor condition. Fulminant infections with severe interstitial pneumonia
and/or enteritis can be seen in foals up to a few months of age. Systemic
illness also occurs in some adults. In adult horses, the clinical signs may
include fever, depression, anorexia, limb edema (particularly in the
hindlimbs), and dependent edema of the prepuce, scrotum, mammary gland
and/or ventral body wall. Conjunctivitis, photophobia, periorbital or
supraorbital edema and rhinitis can also be seen. Some horses develop
urticaria; the hives may be localized to the head or neck, but are
sometimes generalized. Abortions or stillbirths can occur in mares that are
pregnant when they are exposed. Abortions are not necessarily preceded by
systemic signs. Temporary decreases in fertility, including reduced quality
sperm and decreased libido, may be seen in stallions during the acute stage
of the disease. The decrease in sperm quality has been attributed to
increased scrotal temperature and edema, and can persist for up to 4
months. The quality of the semen is not decreased in carrier stallions.
Except in cases of severe disease in foals, deaths are rare.

Equine viral arteritis should be considered when the clinical signs include
fever, depression, edema, conjunctivitis, nasal discharges and abortions.
This disease is difficult to differentiate from other systemic and
respiratory illnesses of horses.

The differential diagnosis includes equine influenza, equine infectious
anemia, and African horse sickness, as well as infections with Getah virus,
Hendra virus, equine rhinitis A and B viruses, equine adenoviruses, and
equine herpesviruses 1 and 4. Equine viral arteritis also resembles purpura
hemorrhagica and other streptococcal infections, as well as poisoning from
the toxic plant _Berteroa incana_ (hoary alyssum).

Acutely infected horses should be isolated to prevent transmission in
secretions and excretions. Precautions should also be taken to avoid
spreading the virus on fomites. EAV is readily inactivated by detergents,
common disinfectants and lipid solvents. No specific treatment is
available; however, most healthy horses other than young foals recover on
their own. Good nursing and symptomatic treatment should be used in severe
cases. Vaccination can also help contain outbreaks.

Venereal transmission can be controlled by good management and vaccination.
To protect pregnant mares from abortion, they should be separated from
other horses and maintained in small groups according to their predicted
foaling dates. Newly acquired horses should be isolated for 3 to 4 weeks.

Vaccination appears to prevent uninfected stallions from becoming long term
carriers. Stallions that are not carriers should be vaccinated before the
start of the breeding season. Prepubertal colts are given the vaccine when
they are 6-12 months old. Carrier stallions are identified and bred only to
well vaccinated or naturally seropositive mares. Similarly, semen that
contains EAV should be used only in these mares. Because 1st time
vaccinates may shed field viruses for a short time after exposure, these
mares should be isolated from seronegative horses, particularly pregnant
mares, for 3 weeks after breeding. Naturally infected mares and those that
are not 1st time vaccinates are isolated for 24-48 hours to protect other
horses from the viruses present in semen.

Portions of this comment have been extracted from
.
- Mod.TG]

[see also:
2008
---
Equine viral arteritis - Israel (02): OIE 20081111.3547
Equine viral arteritis - Israel 20081108.3515
2007
---
Equine viral arteritis - France 20070714.2260
2006
---
Equine viral arteritis - USA (NM) (02) 20061121.3317
Equine viral arteritis - USA (NM) 20060711.1903
2005
---
Equine viral arteritis - UK: OIE 20050131.0335
2002
---
Equine viral arteritis 20020209.3523
1999
---
Equine viral arteritis - New Zealand (02) 19990805.1350
Equine viral arteritis - New Zealand 19990802.1319]

...................tg/msp/sh



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URGENT: WNV Equine Vaccine Recall!!

WEST NILE VIRUS - USA: EQUINE VACCINE RECALL, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
*********************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 4 May 2010
Source: ZooToo [edited]



A major pharmaceutical company has announced an "urgent recall" of all
serial numbers of its West Nile virus vaccine for horses, the American
Veterinary Medical Association [AVMA] announced on its website on Tuesday
[4 May 2010].

The recall, which was voluntary, was instigated by the drug company,
Intervet Schering-Plough, on Monday [3 May 2010], "due to an increased
number of adverse event reports associated with the use of these vaccines,"
the AVMA said.

The pharmaceutical giant has recalled all 1-dose and 5-dose vials of the
PreveNile West Nile virus vaccine for horses. "Schering Plough reported an
increased number of adverse reactions to the vaccine," said Dr Kimberly
May, assistant director of professional and public affairs at the AVMA,
"but unfortunately there were no statements as to severity, or what the
number of horses affected was."

"The word 'urgent' was in the actual letter Schering Plough had sent," Dr
May said, adding, "'Urgent' in the recall world means, 'Check your stock
right now.'"

As of late Tuesday morning [4 May 2010], Intervet Schering-Plough had not
posted a recall notice on its website, or returned a phone message from
ZooToo.com. Dr May noted that it is not unusual for companies not to post
recall information on their websites. But she said the company "has
contacted all the veterinarians affected by this, as well as the distributors."

Intervet informed the USDA and the American Association of Equine
Practitioners on Monday [3 May 2010] of its recall decision.

[byline: Gabrielle Jonas]

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[More information as well as copy of the letter from Intervet
Schering-Plough may be found at the AVMA website at
.

An adverse event may be anything from swelling at the injection site,
colic, fever, or a host of other negative issues. The letter by Intervet
Schering-Plough did not specify what the adverse reactions were or what
owners and veterinarians should be on the look out for, in the event they
have already administered this vaccine. The letter from the company was
issued on 28 Apr 2010. ProMED-mail would welcome further clarification of
the number and nature of adverse events.

Currently this recall seems to be USA centric but it may be more widespread
than that. - Mod.TG]

................tg/mj/jw/sh



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and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
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or archived material.
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