What Horse Virus Is Going Around?

What is the Equine Herpes Virus? Equine Herpes Virus is a contagious disease that affects horses. Although there are nine strains of the virus, Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) and Equine Herpes Virus-4 (EHV-4) are most commonly seen. The current outbreak in Europe is the EHV-1 strain.

What horse virus is going on right now?

Outbreak of deadly horse virus postpones equine events throughout California. In Orange County, hundreds have been exposed and more than a dozen have tested positive. The virus known as equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, also known as EHM, can cause “significant consequences” to horses, the state said.

What are the symptoms of equine herpesvirus?

The signs of neurologic EHV-1 infection range from mild hind limb ataxia (lack of coordination) to urine dribbling and inability to void the bladder properly, loss of sensation around the tailhead and thighs, weakness in the hind limbs severe enough to cause difficulty in rising, and weakness severe enough that the

What happens when a horse gets EHV-1?

EHV-1 routinely causes upper respiratory infection in young horses (weaning, yearlings, and 2-year-olds) resulting in depression, a snotty nose, loss of appetite and a persistent cough. If a number of young horses are housed or pastured together, most will become sick and then recover uneventfully.

Is EHV-1 the same as strangles?

The most common causes in the horse include equine influenza virus (EIV), equine herpesvirus (EHV) – also known as rhino – and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) – better known as strangles.

Can a horse recover from EHV?

In most cases, horses exposed to EHV-1 will develop a fever and possibly nasal discharge and then go on to recover. However, the neurologic EHM strain has a high mortality rate of 30-50%. Recovery time can vary from several days to more than a year.

Can EHV spread to humans?

EHV-1 is not transmissible to humans. How is the virus shed from an infected horse? Horses infected with EHV-1 shed the virus in their nasal secretions. Respiratory shedding of the virus generally occurs for 7-10 days, but may persist longer in infected horses.

How long does a horse virus last?

The clinical signs generally abate within a few days, but complications due to secondary infections are common. While most animals recover in two weeks, the cough may continue longer and it may take as much as six months for some horses to regain their full ability.

How do you stop the spread of EHV?

If you are in a barn with a horse that has EHV-1, the use of the antiviral drug valacyclovir may decrease virus shedding and may help your horse from acquiring the infection. Veterinarians have also discussed the use of lysine to theoretically reduce viral replication.

What disinfectant kills EHV-1?

Clean your equipment. You can readily kill EHV-1 with many common disinfectants including diluted bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds, accelerated peroxide and peroxygen compounds, and iodophors.

Can a horse survive EHV-1?

Almost all horses have been infected with EHV-1 by two years of age and have no serious clinical effects.

How often do horses need EHV?

To provide effective immunity against respiratory and neurological disease caused by EHV 1 and EHV- 4 a primary course of 2 vaccinations should be given followed by a booster vaccination every 6 months. 1st vaccination: Can be given to any horse over the age of 5 months.