MILES CITY, MONTANA: A suspected case of the neurological form of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) at the Miles Community College Ag Advancement Center (AAC) was found to be a false alarm. Quarantine procedures were enacted and events were canceled prior to the negative test results of the virus. Facility rentals and classes and scheduled events at the AAC will now proceed as planned, beginning the week of Monday, November 14.
On Saturday, November 5, a horse stalled at the AAC presented with clinical signs deemed indicative of the neurological form of EHV-1 by local veterinarians. EHV, also known as Equine Rhinopneumonitis, is a highly infectious Alphaherpesviridae (family of viruses) found virtually worldwide, according to the USDA website.
Other horses that had been stalled at the AAC at the time were placed under voluntary quarantine and monitored for signs of illness, while disinfection procedures began at the AAC Champion Arena and stalls.
The horse in question was euthanized due to illness. Blood tests conducted on the horse were found to be negative for the EHV-1 disease. While additional testing is currently underway to determine if genetic disorders may have been to blame for the illness found in the horse, the quarantine of animals at the AAC has been lifted and in-arena instruction, rodeo practice, and other events are now proceeding as scheduled. There is no longer a risk in the spread of the highly contagious and potentially dangerous disease at the AAC.
“I’m proud of our Equine Studies instructor, Brett Badgett, and our Rodeo Coach, Sylvan La Cross, for their prompt attention to this and their work to manage the situation and communicate with students,” commented Dr. Ron Slinger, President of MCC. “The health and safety of the animals, both those of our students and the public that use our facility, are of the utmost importance to us. I’d much rather respond with the preventative measures we took, out of an abundance of caution, than place other animals at risk.”
The MCC Rodeo Team’s Jackpot for Sunday, November 6 was canceled as part of the preventive and quarantining procedures. A decision was also made to cancel the upcoming Barrel Racing Jackpot scheduled for Saturday, November 12 as a precaution while awaiting the original test results for EHV-1.
Future Jackpot rodeos and other scheduled events at the Ag Advancement Center and Champion Arenas will continue as planned, including the Broncs, Bulls, and Bibles Camp scheduled for November 18-20.
