Equine Herpes Virus: WEC – Ocala Implements Strict Biosecurity Protocols & Travel Restrictions

By Jumper News on 3 03America/Sao_Paulo March 03America/Sao_Paulo 2021

Ocala, Florida, USA – March 03, 2021 – The organizers of the Winter Ocala Spectacular at the World Equestrian Center have released two statements regarding the fact that a horse in Ocala has been found to be infected with the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). They have issued two statements, implementing strict biosecurity protocols and a “bubble” at the venue, to eliminate the possibility of contamination.

FIRST STATEMENT

World Equestrian Center – Ocala management has been made aware that a horse in the Ocala area has tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1). There have been no positive cases at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.

As we continue to closely monitor the situation, the World Equestrian Center management recommends that all exhibitors follow a heightened hygiene protocol, adding extra precautions to prevent any issues from arising at the horse show:

Take temperatures of all horses twice daily and maintain a log.
Isolate any horse exhibiting symptoms or illness and report any cases to the show veterinarian and horse show management. Horses with symptoms will be moved to an on-site isolation area.
We recommend no sharing of equipment between horses including feed and water buckets.
Handlers should wash hands in between handling horses and maintain proper biosecurity protocols in the barn.
Maintain distancing between horses at the ring and in the barn. No nose-to-nose contact between horses.

World Equestrian Center – Ocala will continue to observe proper biosecurity protocols and disinfect the barns and property on a regular basis. All stalls are fully disinfected weekly as they are turned over between barns.

At this time, World Equestrian Center – Ocala events will continue as scheduled.

second statement

The FEI announced March 1 that competition has been cancelled until March 28 in 10 European countries including France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany and Slovakia due to the outbreak of the equine herpesvirus.

As the virus has now been identified in Ocala and out of an abundance of caution, World Equestrian Center – Ocala management has issued increased biosecurity measures and the following to keep showing horses safe:

Effective immediately, World Equestrian Center – Ocala will no longer permit ship in horses to the property.
No new entries travelling from other events in Florida will be accepted including the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) , HITS, Venice or the Ridge.
All World Equestrian Center – Ocala stabling areas will be strictly limited to essential personnel – riders, trainers, grooms, vets and farriers. No non-essential people will be admitted to the stabling areas.

If you have questions please contact horse show manager TJ Campbell tj.campbell@wec.net, director of operations Vinnie Card vinnie.card@wec.net or on site veterinarian, Dr. Larry Wexler DVM lwexlerdvm@gmail.com.

Source: Press releases from WEC – World Equestrian Center