EQUINE HERPESVIRUS, EQUINE - USA / NJ

EQUINE HERPESVIRUS, EQUINE - USA (06): (NEW JERSEY)
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A ProMED-mail post

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International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Fri 15 Apr 2011
Source: newjerseynewsroom.com [edited]



2nd Monmouth County horse farm quarantined amid equine herpes
outbreak
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Tourelay Farm and Overbrook Farm see activity restricted for 3
weeks.

A 2nd horse farm in Colts Neck, Monmouth County, has been quarantined
as part of a state Department of Agriculture [NJDA] investigation into
an outbreak of the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus, type 1
(EHV-1) that has led to the death of 1 horse and sickened 5 others.

The disease was discovered on Wednesday [13 Apr 2011) by a private
veterinarian treating a sick horse at the 1st farm, Overbrook Farm.
The filly was euthanized by the veterinarian after it failed to
respond to treatment. 5 other Overbrook Farm horses are recovering
from the illnesses.

The Agriculture Department's tracing activities at Overbrook Farm to
determine the extent of the outbreak led to Friday's [15 Apr 2011]
quarantine of Tourelay Farm but no sick horses have been reported
there.

Overbrook Farm was quarantined Thursday (14 Apr 2011), meaning horse
movement on and off the property has ceased and only essential farm
personnel are allowed access to limit the spread of the virus. While
the disease is not dangerous to humans, personnel must utilize
biosecurity measures, such as disinfectant foot baths, coveralls,
disposable gloves, hand washing and disinfectant hand gels, and
non-sharing of tack between horses.

The Overbrook Farm and Tourelay Farm quarantines are expected to last
21 days, unless more horses become ill. All quarantines are based on
risk assessment.

The Agriculture Department has been in contact with Colts Neck
Township officials to keep them informed of the efforts to contain the
virus and protect animals.

The EHV-1 virus spreads quickly from horse to horse, has a high
morbidity, and can cause a wide range of clinical signs, from a
complete lack of clinical signs to respiratory problems, especially in
young horses, and spontaneous abortions in pregnant mares. The
neurologic form of EHV-1, additionally, can cause an acute paralytic
syndrome, which results in a high mortality. The incubation period of
EHV-1 is typically 2 to 10 days. The virus spreads readily through
direct contact with infected materials.

The virus does not affect other domestic animals, with the exception
of llamas and alpacas.

Concerned owners should consult their veterinarian prior to taking
any action as the clinical signs of infection with the neurological
form of EHV-1 are common to many other diseases. The neurologic form
of EHV is a reportable disease in New Jersey.

More information about the disease, in PDF format, is available at
.

If an owner has a horse that is exhibiting neurologic signs or
suspects equine herpes, they are directed to call their veterinarian
immediately.

The NJDA Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory provides testing for the
neurologic form of EHV-1. For more information for to
.

[byline: Tom Hester Sr]

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communicated by:
ProMED-mail


[The websites provided within the article are very helpful and
thorough. - Mod.TG

New Jersey can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive
map at . Monmouth County can be seen on
the map at
. -
Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA (05): (NY) quarantine lifted
20110417.1201
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA (04): (NY) Cornell U 20110407.1083
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA (03): (NY) Cornell U 20110405.1057
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA (02): (NY) Cornell U, RFI
20110403.1038
Equine herpesvirus, equine - USA: (NY) Cornell University
20110402.1021
2010
---
Equine herpesvirus - USA (04): (NY) 20101129.4286
Equine herpesvirus - USA (03): (NJ) 20100408.1131
Equine herpesvirus - USA (02): (NJ) susp. 20100403.1071
Equine herpesvirus - USA: (LA) 20100101.0016]
.................................................tg/mj/sh
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Paragallo Looses Appeal: Banned from Racing for Life

Convicted thoroughbred abuser Ernest Paragallo is out of the horse racing business for good http://saratogian.com/articles/2011/04/02/news/doc4d94f5617f226892355146.txt?viewmode=default Published: Saturday, April 02, 2011 By PAUL POST The Saratogian SARATOGA SPRINGS — Convicted former thoroughbred owner Ernest Paragallo is out of the racing business for good. The Appellate Division of state Supreme Court on Thursday rejected his legal appeal, meaning he must serve the remainder of his two-year jail term. In addition, the state Racing and Wagering Board ruled that Paragallo can never again hold an owner’s or agent’s license and permanently banned him from New York racetracks, even as a spectator. Paragallo was convicted last March on 33 counts of animal cruelty following the shocking April 2009 raid of his Greene County farm where 177 diseased, neglected horses were found, several of which had to be euthanized. "I wish there was more we could do to him," racing commissioner Daniel Hogan said. "I hope he spends the rest of his life paying for what he did. It’s a black eye on the sport of racing." Fellow board member Charles Diamond said, "The Legislature, in my opinion, should consider treatment of horses in this manner a felony." At present, equine animal cruelty is a misdemeanor in New York. State Sen. Roy J. McDonald, R-Saratoga, has co-sponsored a bill that would make it a felony with more severe penalties. Lawmakers have been tied up hammering out a state budget that was approved early Thursday morning. However, McDonald said his bill will be voted on before the legislature concludes business on June 20. Mike and Mary Anne Macica of Saratoga Springs adopted three of Paragallo’s horses and several more went to the Saratoga Springs-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Greene County District Attorney Terry Wilhelm said Paragallo, who is free on bail, must appear in court soon although a date hasn’t been set. From there, barring an appeal, he would go straight to jail. Wilhelm said he doubts the Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court, would allow an appeal, but that it’s up the judges’ discretion. Continued... Last May, County Court Judge George Pulver sentenced Paragallo to the maximum penalty — two years in jail and $33,000 in fines, $1,000 for each count. Paragallo has already served one month. Prisoners are typically given one month off for every two months served, so Paragallo might only serve 16 months total, or 15 more. Neither he nor his attorney were present at Thursday’s racing board meeting in Schenectady. The criminal case dealt strictly with Paragallo’s charges of animal cruelty. His appeal didn’t challenge his conviction, but said the court’s pre-sentencing report was inflammatory and prejudicial, a claim justices rejected. "We are unpersuaded that the report improperly advocated for the maximum sentence," justices said in their decision. The racing board considered Paragallo’s animal cruelty charges. However, they were more concerned with Paragallo’s continued ownership of horses that were racing after he lost his owner’s license in March 2005. Such evidence came to light following an in-depth review of his operations following the April 2009 raid. Board Chairman John Sabini said he hopes other states follow New York’s lead and prohibit him from any future racing involvement. "The racing industry is better off without the likes of Mr. Paragallo," he said. --------