Utah state officials have quarantined a Cache County farm after one case of equine herpes (EHV) was confirmed and two other horses were euthanized with symptoms consistent with the disease.
Equine herpesvirus - Highly contagious
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food officials say Equine Herpesvirus is highly contagious in horses and can lead to respiratory and neurological disease and death.
Officials with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food say the disease is highly contagious in horses and can lead to respiratory and neurological disease and death. It does not pass to humans.
The disease is spread by direct horse-to-horse contact. Authorities say it can also spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing and hands.
Officials say more cases may surface in the next few days, and advise horse owners to alert their veterinarians to any symptoms they notice. Those symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone and weakness.
EHV infection in horses can cause respiratory disease, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and neurological disease. The virus is not transmissible to humans. Damage to the blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord cause neurological signs to appear. EHM is most often due to the neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 and may occasionally be caused by the non-neuropathogenic strain of the virus.
The disease is easily spread and typically has an incubation period between 2-10 days. Respiratory shedding of the virus occurs for 7-10 days, but may last longer in infected horses.
Horses suspected of having EHV infections should be examined by a veterinarian and tested for virus shedding. Infected horses should be isolated immediately and all contact with other horses should be avoided. Exposed horses should also be isolated.
Two main methods of prevention can be implemented to avoid EHV outbreaks. Vaccinations and biosecurity protection are both important in preventing EHV diseases and in reducing exposure.