Horse Health Alert
Posted: January 21, 2013
A Standardbred racehorse residing in Genesee County, Mich., has tested positive for neurologic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), as confirmed by state veterinarian Steve Halstead, DVM, Jan 2.
What Is Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1)
- Infection in horses that can cause respiratory disease, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and/or neurologic disease.
- The neurologic form of EHV-1 is called Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).
- The virus can spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing and hands.
- EHV-1 is endemic to the United States and is usually handled by the States involved; USDA becomes involved in cases involving multiple States or movement of horses across State lines.
- Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is another name for the neurologic disease associated with equine herpesvirus (EHV) infections. Neurological signs appear as a result of damage to blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord associated with EHV infection. Interference with the blood supply leads to tissue damage and a subsequent loss in normal function of areas in the brain and spinal cord.
