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—HORSE ILLNESS OUTBREAK NOTICE: HORSE OWNERS ENCOURAGED TO

TAKE PRECAUTIONS— An outbreak of a strain of equine herpesvirus has veterinary experts asking horse owners to take careful precautions over the coming weeks.

Various reports of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) affecting horses and farms across the U.S. and Canada appears related to initial cases at a cutting horse show in Ogden Utah, which was held from April 29 – May 8. Horses at that event may have been exposed to this virus and subsequently spread the infection to other horses. While the true extent of this disease outbreak is uncertain, there is clearly a very significant elevated risk of EHM cases at this time.

Control of the outbreak is critically dependent on biosecurity. Laboratory submission of nasal swabs and whole blood samples collected from the exposed horse can be utilized for virus detection and isolation. Please consider testing any suspected cases.

While the outbreak’s full impact is yet unknown, because it spreads quickly horse owners are encouraged to consider cancelling equine events until the virus is brought under control.

EHM is a neurological variation of the herpes virus and affects horses worldwide. Two common strains of the disease are EVH-4, which causes respiratory disease, and EVH-1, which causes aborted births, respiratory disease and is the culprit behind the current outbreak.

Symptoms of EHM include but are not limited to fever, coughing weakness, loss of balance nasal discharge, abortion and problems with urine retention.

If you suspect that your horse(s) may be infected with the virus contact your local equine vet.

Related articles

• 1 confirmed horse herpes case in Washington (thenewstribune.com)
• Virus alert (artandhorseslauraleigh.wordpress.com)