Content

Isolation

Criteria for immediate admission to the Isolation Unit

  • Horses with any 2 of the following 3 signs: diarrhea, fever, neutropenia.
  • Horses with a primary complaint of diarrhea that is not physiologic.
  • Horses with a disease on the Equine Infectious Disease list marked “Isolation”.
  • If the Isolation stalls are full, a patient presented with diarrhea can be refused admission if a pathogen is suspected. If a pathogen is not suspected, the patient’s status must be discussed with the hospital epidemiologist or chair of the Infection Control Committee before being placed in a Restricted stall.
  • Restriction status, at no time, should be used to accommodate a lack of availability of an isolation stall.

Criteria for transferring hospitalized horses to the Isolation Unit

  • Horses that develop 2 of the following 3 signs: diarrhea, fever (>39.2°C; >38.9°C if received NSAID in previous 24-hour period), and neutropenia (<2000 cells/µl)
  • A positive Salmonella culture is obtained.
  • A positive Clostridium difficile toxin test is obtained.
  • Any nosocomial pathogen is obtained.
  • A clinician should move any patient to isolation when there is a high index of suspicion of Salmonella, or an infectious disease even without the confirmation of diarrhea.
  • A patient diagnosed with a disease on the Equine Infectious Disease list

Use of Isolation Unit

  • Once a patient is housed in isolation it may not be transferred to a stall in the main building under any circumstances.
  • The senior clinician is responsible for informing all personnel that may have contact with an animal about the nature of the infectious disease(s) to be encountered.
  • If a zoonotic pathogen is isolated from an animal, or if a zoonotic  infection is highly suspected, the number of staff, clinical personnel and students having contact with the patient should be minimized.
  • If the pathogen is zoonotic, a log must be placed on the isolation unit that documents individuals who have had contact with the animal.
  • A patient that has had diarrhea and tested positive for Salmonella spp. necessitating its removal to an isolation stall shall remain in isolation for the duration of its stay.
  • The isolation stalls are “off limits” to visitors. Only personnel immediately concerned with the isolated patient shall be allowed entry.
  • “Outside” clothing, if removed, shall be hung on hooks in the room adjacent to the stall.
  • Disposable coveralls assigned to that patient shall be worn in the stall and removed and hung in the adjacent room when leaving the Isolation Unit.
  • Disposable boots and gloves (and hair covers, if hair hangs below collar) shall be worn in the stall.
  • Patients with salmonellosis or which test culture positive for Salmonella spp should not be exercised outside the isolation facility.
  • The client will be informed and educated about Salmonella when any patient tests positive for Salmonella regardless of the clinical status.
  • If an animal in isolation is to be discharged to a client’s property at the request of the client, but against the advice of the clinicians, the discharge comments must clearly state that:
    • The patient is discharged against Veterinary Health Complex (VHC) advice.
    • The patient may present a zoonotic risk potential to humans.
    • The patient may present an infectious disease risk to other animals on the property.