The presentation will be given by Dr. Robert Keene, BI Professional Services Veterinarian, on this important topic with plenty of time to answer questions!

 

Causes of Equine Herpes Virus infections

Equine Herpes Virus is caused by a family of viruses, with EHV 1,3, and 4 posing the most serious health risks.

EHV-1 creates four manifestations of disease in horses, including the neurological form, respiratory disease, abortion, and neonatal death.

EHV-3 causes a venereal disease called coital exanthema that affects the external genitalia.

EHV-4 causes a nonfatal upper respiratory tract disease in foals and is uncommonly associated with abortion and rarely with neurological disease.

EVH-1 disease is highly contagious and is spread by direct horse-to-horse contact with nasal secretions. It may also be spread by the inhalation of infected air particles, but it is not known how far distant the airborne virus can spread under typical horse management and environmental conditions.

The disease can also be spread indirectly through contact with physical objects contaminated with the virus, such as human hands and clothing, equipment, tack, trailers, grooming equipment, contaminated feed, and water buckets.

Signs to watch for in your horse

• Fever
• Nasal discharge
• Incoordination
• Hind limb weakness
• Loss of tail tone
• Lethargy
• Urine dribbling
• Head tilt
• Leaning against stationary fixtures, such as a fence, to maintain balance
• Inability to stand

Prevention of EHV infections

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. Boehringer Ingelheim and biosecurity protection are both important in preventing EHV diseases and in reducing exposure.

The goal of vaccination is to induce resistance to infection prior to exposure by producing a strong and durable immune response without inducing clinical signs of the disease in the horse. Several vaccines are available for protection against both respiratory disease and abortion as a result of EHV-1 infection, but currently no equine vaccine is licensed that has a label claim for protection against the neurological strain of the virus.

Biosecurity measures include doing everything possible to reduce the chances of an infectious disease being carried onto your property by people, animals, equipment, or vehicles, either accidentally or on purpose. Anything that touches an infected horse and secretions shed by sick horses have the potential to transfer pathogens to other horses.

The immediate separation and isolation of identified suspect cases is key to disease control. Ideally, a person caring for a sick horse should not also work with or be around healthy horses. If this is impractical, it is recommended that healthy horses should be worked with first and sick horses last.

Wearing disposable gloves and changing them between horses or the use of hand sanitizers between horse contacts are alternative recommendations. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of foot wear between entry into barns and stalls can also minimize risks of disease spread.

Herpes viruses are susceptible to many disinfectants, including a 1:10 dilution of bleach in water. Both alcohol and bleach disinfectants are inactivated by organic matter, so all soil and manure should be cleaned away before using these products. Soap and detergent can be used effectively before applying a disinfectant.

A disinfectant that retains activity in the presence of organic matter is recommended In barn environments where organic material cannot be completely eliminated. Phenolics, such as 1 Stoke Environ or SynPhenol-3, or accelerated hydrogen peroxide products, such as Virkon, have this property. Always follow manufacturer's recommendations when using these products.

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Press release by Steinbeck - Peninsula Equine Clinics