Equine herpesvirus-1
There have been a small number of reports from equine practitioners in parts of western WI and eastern MN of horses showing acute neurologic signs. Two of the affected MN horses have tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection (non-neuropathogenic strain) by the UC-Davis laboratory. The two positive cases were horses on the same premises in MN, north of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Diagnostic tests are pending on additional horses.
Equine herpesvirus-1 is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory disease, abortion, and intermittent outbreaks of neurologic disease in horses. Symptoms include fever, weakness and incoordination, and urine dribbling or inability to urinate. Horses with these symptoms should be examined immediately by a veterinarian. Suspect horses should be isolated from healthy horses and tested for EHV-1.
The Wisconsin state veterinarian recommends that horses with a fever and symptoms of contagious respiratory infections should be kept at home and not taken to shows, competitions, clinics or public trail rides. Although humans can't be infected by EHV-1, they can aid in spreading it to their horses. Therefore, owners of affected horses should wash and disinfect their hands and change their clothes before coming into contact with healthy horses to prevent the potential spread of these infectious organisms.
(Article credit to WI Dept. of Ag, Trade, & Consumer Protection)
For more detailed information about EHV-1, click here.
There have been a small number of reports from equine practitioners in parts of western WI and eastern MN of horses showing acute neurologic signs. Two of the affected MN horses have tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection (non-neuropathogenic strain) by the UC-Davis laboratory. The two positive cases were horses on the same premises in MN, north of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Diagnostic tests are pending on additional horses.
Equine herpesvirus-1 is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory disease, abortion, and intermittent outbreaks of neurologic disease in horses. Symptoms include fever, weakness and incoordination, and urine dribbling or inability to urinate. Horses with these symptoms should be examined immediately by a veterinarian. Suspect horses should be isolated from healthy horses and tested for EHV-1.
The Wisconsin state veterinarian recommends that horses with a fever and symptoms of contagious respiratory infections should be kept at home and not taken to shows, competitions, clinics or public trail rides. Although humans can't be infected by EHV-1, they can aid in spreading it to their horses. Therefore, owners of affected horses should wash and disinfect their hands and change their clothes before coming into contact with healthy horses to prevent the potential spread of these infectious organisms.
(Article credit to WI Dept. of Ag, Trade, & Consumer Protection)
For more detailed information about EHV-1, click here.