Equine Herpes Virus
EHV–1 has multiple strains that may cause respiratory and
neurological disease in horses, as well as abortion in mares. Both a
mutant neurotropic strain of EHV–1 and existing latent strains
were reported to be involved. Infection may result in no clinical
illness or clinical illness ranging from mild clinical manifestations
of respiratory disease to occasional cases of severe neurogenic
disease. For more information see our Equine Herpes Virus web page.
Equine Infectious Anemia
EIA is a viral disease of equids that is sometimes fatal. Other
infected equids become life long carriers. CDFA controls EIA by
requiring testing (Coggin's test) of equids moving interstate, and
isolation or removal of positive animals. For more information please
go to the USDA website
fact sheet.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease affecting all mammals that is invariably
fatal if not treated. Cases are diagnosed in livestock, as well as in
dogs, cats, and wildlife. CDFA, along with the California Department
of Health Services, monitors cases in livestock. For more information
see the Department of Health
Services Center for Disease Control web page.
Screwworm
Screwworms are fly larvae (maggots) that feed on living flesh. These
parasites can infect any warm-blooded animal. Screwworms enter wounds
as small as an insect bite and feed on living tissue in the area. If
untreated, screwworm infestations can be fatal. In the US, Screwworm
is a Foreign Animal Disease reportable within 24 hours of diagnosis.
For more information see our Screwworm web
page.
Vesicular Stomatitis
Vesicular stomatitis (VS) is a virus caused disease that primarily
affects cattle, horses, and swine. The disease can also affect many
other species of animals and has occurred in sheep, goats, wildlife,
and occasionally humans. The major significance of the disease is its
nearly identical appearance to the truly devastating foot and mouth
disease, which was eradicated from the United States nearly seven
decades ago. For more information, see our VS
(PDF) fact sheet.
West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus is a mosquito–borne virus that was first
detected in the United States in 1999 in New York City area. The virus
has since been identified in all 48 continental states. WNV can cause
a wide range of clinical illness from mild flu–like symptoms to
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The virus may be fatal to
both humans and horses. While horses are susceptible to WNV, many
horses infected with the disease will not develop any illness and will
recover uneventfully. For more information, see our West Nile Virus web page.
Contact us for more information:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Animal Health Branch
1220 N Street, Room A-107
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 654-1447
Fax: (916) 653-2215
or send an email to: ahbfeedback@cdfa.ca.gov