Guidelines

Equine Infectious Disease Outbreak: AAEP Control Guidelines

Developed by the AAEP Infectious Disease Task Force. Task Force Members: Mary C. Scollay, DVM, Chair; William Bernard, DVM, Dip. ACVIM; Brian S. Carroll, DVM; Roberta M. Dwyer, DVM, MS, Dip. ACVPM; Robert E. Holland Jr., DVM, Ph.D.; Daniel G. Kenney, VMD, Dip. ACVIM; Maureen T. Long, DVM, Ph.D.; Paul Lunn, BVSc, MS, Ph.D., MRCVS, Dip. ACVIM; and Josie L. Traub-Dargatz, DVM, MS, Dip. ACVIM.


These guidelines were written for use by veterinarians who encounter contagious infectious disease in horses. In the event of an equine infectious disease outbreak, veterinarians are expected to promptly implement measures to contain and treat the affected population and to prevent disease in the unaffected. The purpose of these guidelines is to promote an effective first response by providing a clear, concise action plan proceeding from generalized signs to specific diagnosis of contagious disease.

The veterinarian on scene is the most qualified person to initiate the outbreak control plan and is critical to effective outbreak control. Each infectious disease outbreak is unique and an existing plan may require modification for specific situations. If necessary, clinical observations, laboratory results and epidemiologic data, once properly collected, may be evaluated by infectious disease experts off-site.

In the event of reportable disease, veterinarians are to abide by state regulations. These guidelines do not supersede existing state protocol.

These guidelines are not intended to replace textbooks, scientific literature, or journal articles. Comprehensive information on the management of infectious diseases is widely available and is recommended reading