Postdoctoral Scholar for Infectious Diseases University of Kentucky Lexington, KY, United States
Abstract:
Background: Recent outbreaks of Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in equine care facilities underscore significant gaps in infection control. Innovative surveillance strategies are needed for proactive surveillance.
Objectives: To evaluate a novel community surveillance approach for the detection of aerosolized EHV-1 in equine care facilities. Animals: There was no direct horse contact.
Methods: Observational study conducted at an equine care facility in Kentucky for 4 weeks (Summer 2024). We used a Bertin™ Coriolis compact for continuous air sampling at 200L /min 6 hrs in a treatment area (daytime activity) and during nights in an occupied barn. As references, we sampled individual surfaces in close contact with the heads of horses once daily. Samples were analyzed using quantitative PCR.
Results: We collected equal numbers of 84 surface and 12 air samples from either the treatment (end of day) or the barn(mornings). In the treatment area, 2 and 5 air samples were found positive for EHV-1 or -4, respectively. 5 EHV-4 positive surfaces, and no EHV-1 was detected. In the barn area, 4 and 6 air samples were positive for either EHV-1 or -4, and 0 and 6 surfaces were positive for EHV-1 and EHV-4. Overall, the air sampling detection rate was significantly higher at night-time sampling in stalls as compared to daytime in treatment areas with low-scale surface contamination in both areas which could be related to density of population occupancy at night time.
Conclusion: Air sampling demonstrated a good detection rate for EHVs, highlighting its potential as a community monitoring tool in equine care facilities.
