The B.W. Furlong & Associates veterinary hospital in Oldwick has reopened, after closing last week, when it was discovered that a patient tested positive for the neurologic variety of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).
“The patient is in our isolation unit, removed from our main facilities and is under the care of (Dr.) Rachel Gardner…and her team of veterinarians and technicians,” according to a statement. Seven other horses who did not show symptoms but had contact with the infected horse remain in isolation as well.
“The index horse has no history of recent travel, therefore no other horses in the area are expected to be at increased risk at this time. The potentially exposed horses have been transported via closed commercial carrier to a separate quarantine facility and will continue to be cared for by B.W. Furlong & Associates veterinarians and technicians,” according to the statement.
“The established quarantine area has been reviewed by the state veterinarians and they have confirmed that it exceeds expectations put forth by the Department of Agriculture,” the statement continued.
The practice has concluded multiple rounds of cleaning and disinfecting in the hospital, and began accepting patients again April 8.The intention of the practice was to exceed the state’s recommended biosecurity protocols.The quarantine was not imposed on Equine MRI of NJ or Furlong’s Soundness Center and ambulatory veterinary services continued without restriction.
Jeff Wolfe, a spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture, said there have been no other cases reported around New Jersey.
More information can be found on the American Association of Equine Practitioners website, here, and the memo from the Department of Agriculture can be found here.
For questions or concerns, clients are advised to contact B.W. Furlong & Associates or Dr. Gardner at (908) 439-2821.