Newsdate Wed 10 September 2014 – 7:31 am

Location: MADISON, Wisconsin

Three horses from an equine boarding and training facility in Dane County have tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). One horse became ill in late August showing neurologic signs and was humanely euthanized. The other two horses became ill over the Labor Day weekend and are being treated by a veterinarian.

Quarantine for horses with EHV-1

The Wisconsin state veterinarian recommends that horses with a fever and symptoms of contagious respiratory infection should be kept at home and not taken to shows, competitions, clinics or public trail rides.

All three horses were vaccinated in spring for rhinopneumonitis, which is caused by an equine herpesvirus. Currently licensed vaccines are not labeled for the prevention of the neurologic form of EHV-1.

The Animal Health division of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection asks veterinarians to be watchful for horses showing acute neurological signs with a reminder that confirmed positive test results for EHV-1 must be reported to the Division of Animal Health at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection within 10 days.

The Wisconsin state veterinarian recommends that horses with a fever and symptoms of contagious respiratory infection should be kept at home and not taken to shows, competitions, clinics or public trail rides.

Horse owners should also be aware that transportation of horses to competitions, shows and clinics may increase the risk of exposure to infectious organisms. 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.