As per the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, there have been 10 confirmed cases of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) among horses in Louisa County, Virginia, with 25 horses exposed and one horse euthanized. The affected premises are currently under quarantine.
EDCC Health Watch is a marketing program by Equine Network that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to provide verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization supported by industry donations to offer open access to infectious disease information.
EHV 101
Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can lead to various conditions such as rhinopneumonitis, abortion in broodmares, and Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).
Fever is often the primary sign of EHV-1 infection in horses, with other signs including cough, decreased appetite, depression, and nasal discharge in young horses. Pregnant mares may not exhibit any signs before aborting, which typically occurs late in gestation but can happen earlier. Neurologic signs like ataxia, weakness, and paralysis can indicate EHM.
EHV spreads through close contact with infected horses or contaminated equipment. Biosecurity measures are essential to prevent disease transmission. While vaccines can reduce viral shedding, they do not protect against the neurologic form of EHV-1. Prevention through biosecurity practices is key to disease control.