What is it?
EHV-1 is short for Equine Herpes Virus type 1 and actually is found in most horses in a latent way (without symptoms) as they are usually exposed to the virus as youngsters. Some horses under stress (i.e. at a horse show) exhibit may experience the disease becoming active which can develop into neurological symptoms.
When the disease is active in a given horse, that horse can share it with others via nasal secretions (nose blowing or coughing or touching noses) or sharing tack or other equipment. Often this contact happens in the early stages of the disease before the horse is exhibiting neurological symptoms and thus before the owner knows the horse has the contagious disease. Complicating matters further, that horse might not even develop the telltale symptoms (fever, hind limb incoordination or ataxia, or lack of interest in food) at all but could still pass the disease on to other horses.
Why all the recent outbreaks?
EHV-1 is an emerging disease and progress in education and regulating reporting of the disease has made the equine industry more aware of the disease. Also, large scale equestrian events which bring in hundreds horses from all over the country like the Cutting Horse National Championship in Utah in 2011 need to increase their biosecurity measures to limit contact horses have with other horses. In addition, horse owners could be better at detecting infection in their horses.
What can we do to prevent outbreaks?
When your horse goes on a trail ride or to a show or event with other horses, restrict nose-to-nose contact with other horses from other barns, do not share water buckets or other equipment either. Take your horse's temperature daily to catch any fever right away. Better yet, stay home to avoid exposure to this contagious disease.
Disinfect any used equipment you purchase, especially when you know there has been an outbreak in your area recently.
If you run a boarding facility, consider instituting a 2-3 week quarantine for new horses coming in to your facility. Moving barns can be stressful for horses and they could develop a cold or have the EHV virus become active, either of which could spread to your herd.
What to do if your horse does have a fever, hind-limb incoordination, and disinterest in feed
Isolate the horse from other horses immediately. Disinfect and isolate the horse's stall and all equipment associated with the horse. Even your clothing and boots can spread the disease from horse to horse or barn to barn.
Call your veterinarian. He or she will retake the horse's temperature, take a blood sample or a nasal swab for testing, and can help treat your horse for symptom management. Typically vets recommend Banamine to reduce fever, pain, & inflammation as well as keeping the horse hydrated and rested.
Report to the state authorities if a diagnosis of EHV-1 is confirmed and spread awareness to the equine community so others can be aware of exposure risks. Also communicate the diagnosis to other horse owners at your property and any shows or events where your horse could have contracted or passed on the disease.
A diagnosis of EHV-1 confirmed results in a 21 or 28-day quarantine of the stable in question to contain the outbreak. Read more about what to do if you suspect your horse may have EHV-1 here.
Veterinarian researchers are working hard on developing an effective vaccine and finding out more about EHV-1. Learn more about recent research here.
Once the weather dries out and warms up, usually EHV-1 becomes less active until fall. With careful and conscientious horse owners and show managers, each of us can do our part to slow the spread of this deadly disease.
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