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Local 4-H horses possibly exposed to deadly virus at Minn. State Fair

By
Mavis Fodness

Eight Rock County horses competing at the Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show in St. Paul Sept. 18-21 are under quarantine as recommended by show officials.
The horses may have been exposed to a potentially deadly virus while attending the annual event along with more than 600 other horses.
On Friday, Sept. 18, a Clay County horse stabled in the cattle barn at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds was euthanized within a day of arrival.
The Rock County delegation was housed in the horse barn, a separate facility located north of the affected area.
University of Minnesota Extension officials interrupted Friday’s show events to address exhibitors and their families.
Brad Rugg, director of fair and 4-H animal science programs, and state show veterinarian Dr. Jess Hafemann informed the group that gathered in the coliseum.
Hafemann explained she treated the Clay County horse for neurological symptoms.
“Because of the horse’s worsening condition and poor prognosis, the family chose to euthanize the horse,” she read from a prepared statement.
“Based on the symptoms, there is a possibility that the horse may have had the Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1).”
EHV-1 is one of several possible diagnoses, Rugg added.
EHV-1 is a potentially fatal disease that damages blood vessels to the brain and spinal cord. It is most commonly spread by direct horse-to-horse contact.
Once a horse is exposed, it can be a carrier of the virus for up to three weeks before showing symptoms of the disease.
A temperature above 102 degrees is one of the initial indicators the virus may be present. State officials recommended horses that were at the state show have their temperatures taken twice a day.
Currently, horses from Rock County are being quarantined at their individual homes. The horses are under quarantine up to three weeks, the virus incubation period, or until test results confirm the virus is not present.
Official test results are expected later this week.

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