As a preventive measure to safeguard the public from potential health risks, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today implemented a temporary closure of the Palomino Valley Center (PVC) regional adoption facility, located 20 miles north of Sparks.

The risks resulted from health problems developed by wild horses recently gathered from the Jackson Mountains Herd Management Area (HMA) in early September. Approximately 1,000 horses were gathered. Many of the animals were very thin, in poor physical condition, and weak due to a lack of forage and water resulting from extended drought conditions. For these reasons the animals are having difficulty adjusting to feed in their new environment.

Approximately 130 horses have died as a result of poor body condition, pneumonia, and complications from severe diarrhea related to salmonella. The animals are being treated with antibiotics to combat the pneumonia and supportive care and electrolytes in an effort to stabilize their recovery from starvation conditions on the range.

"The bacteria salmonella has been isolated from several horses and is contributing to the health problems and increased death loss," said Dr. Al Kane, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s APHIS Veterinary Services. "This bacteria is not uncommon in healthy horses and other livestock but can also cause illness or death under these conditions."

Salmonella also can infect people and domestic animals. The temporary closure of PVC is a preventive measure to safeguard the health of the public and their animals from possible exposure to the salmonella bacteria.

The BLM’s primary concern is to ensure the health and safety of employees who work at the facility and members of the public who visit the facility.

Visitors who enter the facility at this time could be exposed to the bacteria or carry it home to their animals on their clothing.

"There are no specific treatments that can cure these complications

in horses," added Kane. "The horses are being provided with good quality grass hay and fresh water, and most of the animals are slowly recovering."

The pneumonia is attributed to dust and lack of moisture, and is being compounded by the extreme fluctuations of day and night temperatures.

The BLM is working closely with the Nevada State Veterinarian's Office and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's APHIS Veterinary Services. Individual animals in distress are being treated or, if necessary, humanely euthanized as an act of mercy in accordance with BLM policy.

The facility will remain under a voluntary closure and the diagnostic investigation is ongoing. BLM also is developing a detailed plan to address and safeguard the health and well-being of employees, the pubic, and other horses at PVC and all BLM facilities during the next several weeks. The BLM will evaluate conditions at PVC in 30 days and determine if the temporary closure should be extended.

The PVC facility encompasses 160 acres and can accommodate approximately 1,650 animals. It is a national holding facility where animals gathered from pubic lands are vaccinated and freeze marked, and then shipped throughout the United States to support the BLM’s nationwide adoption program.

For more information contact the BLM Office of Communications at

(775) 861-6629.