SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture said Tuesday that several cases of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy have been detected around the state, and horse owners area urged to be on the lookout for signs of the illness.

Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy, or EHM, is caused by equine herpes virus (EHV-1), officials reported.

The illness has been confirmed in 10 horses in California, in Kern, Placer, Stanislaus, Amador and Napa counties, according to the Tuesday report.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture said one horse in Kern County was euthanized after showing severe neurologic signs often associated with the disease.

This disease outbreak is evolving and CDFA will continue to investigate cases and provide updated information.

All of the infected horses recently attended the National Cutting Horse Association’s Western National Championships in Odgen, Utah, held April 30-May 8, 2011, where officials believe the horses were most likely exposed to the virus.

All California horses that have been in contact with an infected horse and show signs of disease or test positive for EHM will be placed under a California Department of Food and Agriculture quarantine in order to limit spread.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture reported that it has contacted all 54 exhibitors from California who participated in the Utah event and asked them to isolate and monitor their horses for clinical signs of EHV-1.

A rectal temperature in excess of 102 Fahrenheit commonly precedes other clinical signs. Officials urged horse owners with potentially exposed horses are urged to take temperatures on each individual horse twice a day. If a temperature above 102 Fahrenheit is detected, the horse’s private veterinarian should be contacted immediately for evaluation and laboratory testing.

Equine herpes virus is a contagious disease and may spread quickly among horse populations, the state reported.

EHV-1 is not transmissible to humans. Horse-to-horse contact, aerosol transmission, and contaminated hands, equipment, tack and feed all play a role in disease spread, the California Department of Food and Agriculture said.

Horses infected with the neurologic strain of EHV-1 may show any of the following clinical signs: nasal discharge, lack of coordination, hind-end weakness, lethargy, urine dribbling and diminished tail tone.

There is no specific treatment for EHM, the state said. Treatment may include intravenous fluids, anti-inflammatory drugs and other appropriate supportive treatment. Immediate separation and isolation of identified suspect cases and implementation of appropriate biosecurity measures are key elements for disease control.

The agency said that, currently, there is no equine vaccine that has a label claim for protection against the neurologic strain of this virus.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .