PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital is reopening its doors to residents seeking service for horses, llamas and alpacas after the recent outbreak of equine herpes virus, also known as EHV-1.
The facility's reopening is slightly ahead of schedule because there have been no new cases of EHV-1 in Washington for more than two weeks, according to a WSU news release.
The equine section of the hospital had been closed since May 13. The rest of the facility remained open during that time.
Clients who want to bring horses to WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital should call ahead so the screening and admission process can be streamlined. The number to call for that process is (509) 335-7073.
The WSU veterinary hospital underwent a cleaning and sanitation process that included washing everything with disinfectants from the floors to ceilings. Stall mats were removed, as well as any porous surfaces on doors or dividers. Some items that could not be cleaned and sealed were replaced.
The cleaning process has been under way for more than two weeks in stages. It required a crew of 15 people; 10 were temporary hires for this process. Cost of the disinfection has not been determined and fees for service will remain the same.
WSU's equine section has put in place an enhanced infection control protocol. The process will begin with WSU veterinarians screening each referral or private admission patient and then ranking horses according to any risk they may pose for developing active disease from an EHV-1 infection.
Horses will receive a physical examination before they are admitted. Clients presenting animals for care will have to fill out a survey detailing their horse's recent health and travel. They will be informed of the status of horses already admitted to the hospital.
The new protocol will remain in place until further notice.
If the medical decision is made to admit a horse deemed at high risk for EHV-1, that animal will go immediately to an isolation facility before entering the teaching hospital.
To see more of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, go to www.dnews.com.
(c) 2011, Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, Idaho
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
Comments