By NewsDesk @bactiman63
The Equine Disease Communication Center reported Tuesday on a coronavirus case in a Maricopa County, Arizona,
The 5-year-old gelding showed symptoms of anorexia, fever and laying down last week and is currently recovering.
This appears to be an isolated case. This is a case of equine Coronavirus (ECoV) and does not effect humans.
According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, coronavirus is spread when feces from an infected horse is ingested by another horse (fecal-oral transmission). The virus can also be transmitted when horses make oral contact with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with infected feces. Stalls, muck forks, manure spreaders, thermometers and clothing are common fomites (objects or materials that carry infection). Coronavirus is most commonly diagnosed in the winter months.
Mortality is low but can occur in complicated cases. Exposure to the virus can result in up to 85% infection rate but most animals do not show clinical signs.
There is no vaccine for Equine Coronavirus. The best method of prevention is to maintain high standards of sanitation in all equine facilities and careful disposal of manure. When cleaning surfaces
that may be contaminated with feces, clean first to remove all traces of organic matter, then disinfect.
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